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OKC vs Pacers – Pacers Upset Thunder 117-114

Thomas Oliver Thompson Anderson • 2026-03-31 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-114 on January 23, 2026, at Paycom Center, marking a significant upset in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals. The victory improved Indiana’s record to 11-35 while ending Oklahoma City’s home dominance, as the Thunder fell to 37-9 despite a 47-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The matchup represented a stark contrast in season trajectories. Oklahoma City entered with the Western Conference’s best record, having lost only four home games all season. Indiana arrived short-handed and with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, yet managed to overcome a 15.5-point betting deficit to secure their third road victory of the campaign.

This contest marked the first regular-season meeting between the franchises since their 2025 NBA Finals series, which saw the teams split the first two games in Oklahoma City before Indiana hosted Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The January 2026 result reversed the previous regular-season outcome from March 2025, when the Thunder defeated the Pacers 132-111.

Who Won the OKC vs Pacers Game and Final Score?

Status
Final

Final Score
Pacers 117, Thunder 114

Venue
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City

Top Performer
Andrew Nembhard (27 PTS, 11 REB)

  • Upset Victory: Pacers won despite trailing Oklahoma City by 24 games in the standings (11-35 vs. 37-9).
  • Scoring Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 47 points on 17-of-28 shooting with 12-of-12 free throws.
  • Career Night: Jarace Walker recorded a career-high 26 points for Indiana, shooting 8-of-15 from the field.
  • Three-Point Disparity: Indiana connected on 42% (16-of-38) of three-pointers compared to Oklahoma City’s 27% (7-of-26).
  • Free Throw Contrast: Thunder shot 90% (27-of-30) from the line while Pacers managed only 55% (11-of-20).
  • Rebound Battle: Both teams finished with 51 total rebounds.
  • Turnover Margin: Oklahoma City committed 9 turnovers to Indiana’s 11.
Statistical Anomaly

Despite losing the field goal percentage battle (47% vs. 49%) and attempting 14 fewer shots, the Pacers secured victory through superior three-point shooting and late-game execution. The Thunder’s 47-point output from Gilgeous-Alexander marked one of the highest individual scoring totals in a losing effort this season.

Category Pacers (IND) Thunder (OKC)
1st Quarter 39 28
2nd Quarter 19 25
3rd Quarter 31 32
4th Quarter 28 29
Final Score 117 114
Field Goal % 47% (45-96) 49% (40-82)
3-Point % 42% (16-38) 27% (7-26)
Free Throw % 55% (11-20) 90% (27-30)
Total Rebounds 51 51
Turnovers 11 9

OKC vs Pacers Prediction and Betting Odds

No upcoming game is scheduled between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers beyond the January 23, 2026 contest. The analysis below reflects the betting markets and predictive indicators from that matchup.

Pre-Game Betting Lines

Entering the January 23, 2026 game, oddsmakers established the Thunder as heavy favorites at Paycom Center. The betting lines reflected Oklahoma City’s dominant 37-9 record and 20-4 home mark against Indiana’s struggling 11-35 campaign. Specific lines included an over/under of 226.5 points, with the Pacers receiving +15.5 points on the spread and +600 on the moneyline, according to ESPN data.

Outcome Against the Spread

Indiana not only covered the 15.5-point spread but won outright, delivering a significant payoff for moneyline bettors. The final score of 117-114 pushed the total to 231 points, clearing the over/under by 4.5 points. The result marked the Pacers’ third road victory of the season and only their eleventh win overall.

Betting Insight

The Pacers’ outright victory as +600 underdogs represented one of the largest upsets of the 2025-26 season by moneyline odds. Despite ranking near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Indiana’s 42% three-point shooting and 47% field goal percentage allowed them to overcome the Thunder’s free throw superiority (90% vs. 55%).

What Time and Where to Watch OKC vs Pacers

No future regular-season matchup between the Thunder and Pacers appears on the current NBA schedule. The most recent contest aired on ESPN’s family of networks, consistent with the league’s national broadcast agreements for high-profile rematches.

Broadcast Information

The January 23, 2026 game was broadcast nationally, with full highlights available via NBA’s official YouTube channel. The 2025 NBA Finals between these franchises aired on ABC, including Games 1, 2 and 3.

Future Ticketing

For potential future matchups at Paycom Center, fans can monitor Ticketmaster’s Thunder ticketing page. The Pacers host home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which hosted Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 11, 2025.

Schedule Uncertainty

No game is scheduled for March 31, 2026, or any subsequent date between these franchises. The 2025-26 season schedule has not been fully released for dates beyond January 2026 in available sources.

OKC vs Pacers Head-to-Head History and Stats

Recent Regular Season Meetings

The January 2026 result reversed the outcome from the teams’ previous regular-season encounter on March 29, 2025, when Oklahoma City defeated Indiana 132-111 at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led that contest with 33 points during the Thunder’s ninth consecutive victory. Indiana fell to 43-31 in that matchup while Oklahoma City solidified its Western Conference positioning.

2025 NBA Finals Rematch

The January 2026 game marked the first meeting since the 2025 NBA Finals, where the franchises competed for the championship. Oklahoma City hosted Games 1 and 2 on June 5 and June 8, 2025, while Indiana hosted Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 11. The Finals appearance represented Indiana’s second in 25 years and Oklahoma City’s first since the franchise’s relocation from Seattle in 2012.

Finals Context

The 2025 NBA Finals meeting added significance to the January 2026 regular-season rematch. Despite Indiana’s subsequent struggles (11-35 record), the Pacers demonstrated their ability to compete with the Thunder’s elite roster, which entered the game with a 37-9 record and 20-4 home mark.

OKC vs Pacers Injury Report and Key Players

No specific injuries were detailed in the box score or play-by-play reports for the January 23, 2026 contest. However, the Pacers were described as short-handed in post-game summaries, relying heavily on breakout performances from Andrew Nembhard and Jarace Walker rather than their typical rotation.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played 35 minutes despite the eventual loss, posting 47 points, 4 rebounds, and only 1 turnover. Chet Holmgren contributed 13 rebounds, while Myles Potter added 10 rebounds (6 defensive, 4 offensive). The NBA maintains updated injury information through its official injury report portal.

OKC vs Pacers Recent Matchups Timeline

  1. : Thunder defeat Pacers 132-111 at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 33 points. ESPN
  2. : NBA Finals Game 1 hosted by Oklahoma City.
  3. : NBA Finals Game 2 hosted by Oklahoma City.
  4. : NBA Finals Game 3 hosted by Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
  5. : Pacers defeat Thunder 117-114 at Paycom Center. Andrew Nembhard leads with 27 points. ESPN

What We Know vs. What Remains Uncertain

Established Facts

  • Final score of January 23, 2026 game: Pacers 117, Thunder 114
  • Player statistics verified via ESPN box score and NBA tracking
  • Betting lines: Pacers +15.5/+600, Over/Under 226.5
  • 2025 NBA Finals series occurred June 2025
  • Previous regular season meeting March 29, 2025: Thunder 132-111

Uncertain Information

  • Next scheduled regular season meeting between franchises
  • Specific injury details for Pacers’ short-handed roster
  • Broadcast times for potential future matchups
  • Exact tip-off time for January 23 game (not specified in sources)

The Significance of the Thunder-Pacers Rivalry

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have developed an unlikely but significant rivalry following their 2025 NBA Finals confrontation. The Finals series marked a historical milestone for both franchises: Indiana’s return to the championship round for the first time in 25 years, and Oklahoma City’s first Finals appearance since the franchise’s relocation from Seattle in 2008. The Thunder hosted the opening two games of that series at Paycom Center, while the Pacers hosted Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse following their Eastern Conference victory over the New York Knicks.

The January 2026 regular-season upset underscored the unpredictable nature of NBA scheduling, as the Pacers overcame a 26-game deficit in the standings to defeat the championship-contending Thunder. Oklahoma City entered the contest with a 37-9 record and 20-4 home mark, positioning them as one of the Western Conference’s elite teams. Indiana’s 11-35 record reflected a rebuilding phase, yet the Pacers demonstrated the shooting prowess (42% from three-point range) that had carried them to the Finals the previous June. For additional entertainment options, viewers might explore the Good American Family Episodes – Complete Episode List.

Data Sources and Verification

All statistics, scores, and betting information derive from official NBA sources and verified sports data providers. The box score and play-by-play details from the January 23, 2026 game were obtained from ESPN’s game tracking system. Video highlights and player performance data were verified through the NBA’s official YouTube channel. Historical information regarding the 2025 NBA Finals was confirmed through Gainbridge Fieldhouse event records and Basketball-Reference archives.

Summary of OKC vs Pacers Results

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-114 on January 23, 2026, in a stunning upset at Paycom Center. Despite entering with an 11-35 record against Oklahoma City’s 37-9 mark, Indiana secured the victory behind 27 points from Andrew Nembhard and a career-high 26 points from Jarace Walker. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 47-point performance was not enough to overcome the Pacers’ superior three-point shooting. The game served as a regular-season rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals, though no future meetings are currently scheduled. For gaming enthusiasts exploring other interactive entertainment, Dragon’s Dogma 2 – Guide to Reviews, Pawns and Specs offers comprehensive coverage of that title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the most recent OKC vs Pacers game?

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-114 on January 23, 2026.

What was the final score of the January 2026 matchup?

The final score was Pacers 117, Thunder 114, with Indiana overcoming a 15.5-point betting spread.

When did OKC and Pacers last play before January 2026?

The teams last met in the 2025 NBA Finals (June 2025) and previously in the regular season on March 29, 2025, when the Thunder won 132-111.

Where can I find highlights of the latest game?

Full game highlights are available on the NBA’s official YouTube channel, featuring key plays from Nembhard, Walker, and Gilgeous-Alexander.

What were the betting odds for the January 23, 2026 game?

The Pacers were +15.5 underdogs (+600 moneyline) with an over/under of 226.5 points.

Have the Pacers and Thunder met in the NBA Finals?

Yes, the franchises competed in the 2025 NBA Finals, with Oklahoma City hosting Games 1 and 2 and Indiana hosting Game 3.

Is there another OKC vs Pacers game scheduled?

No upcoming game is currently scheduled or confirmed in available search results.

Who were the top performers in the January 2026 game?

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points for the Thunder.

Thomas Oliver Thompson Anderson

About the author

Thomas Oliver Thompson Anderson

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.