As the 2025 NBA Finals approach, the basketball world is buzzing with anticipation for the showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. With the season’s final leg drawing near, fans and players alike have had ample time to dissect the playoffs, stirring debates about what might have been. The Finals are set to tip off on June 5, 2025, promising an electrifying clash. Amid the hype, Golden State Warriors’ guard Brandin Podziemski dropped a bombshell take that’s got the NBA community talking.
In a recent interview with Kay Adams, Podziemski, whose Warriors were ousted in the second round, didn’t hold back when discussing the Eastern Conference Finals outcome. The Indiana Pacers’ victory over the New York Knicks set the stage for their Finals matchup against the Thunder, and Podziemski had some choice words about why he’s relieved the Knicks didn’t make it.
“I’m glad it was the Pacers, not the Knicks, because I feel like if it was the Knicks, it would have been a sweep,” Podziemski declared. “I don’t think the Knicks had enough to compete with OKC both offensively and defensively.”
Talk about a hot take! Predicting a sweep is a bold move, and Podziemski’s Knicks diss isn’t likely to win him any fans in New York. But the young guard, known for his fearless personality, clearly isn’t fazed. His confidence and willingness to speak his mind have earned him admiration from Warriors’ veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who value his boldness both on and off the court.
So, is Podziemski onto something? It’s a question worth pondering, even if we’ll never know for sure. The Pacers’ fast-paced, chaotic style seems better suited to challenge the Thunder’s dynamic play compared to the Knicks, who lean on veteran experience and star power. New York’s grit and defensive tenacity could’ve made for an intriguing matchup, but Podziemski argues their offensive and defensive balance wouldn’t have matched OKC’s firepower.
The Pacers, while less experienced, bring a high-octane approach that could disrupt the Thunder’s rhythm. Their ability to run and gun might keep games closer, but they lack the seasoned leadership New York could have offered. Still, Podziemski’s prediction paints a grim picture for what might have been a Knicks-Thunder Finals.
In the grand scheme, though, it may not matter who’s facing the Thunder. OKC has been the class of the NBA this season, dominating with a blend of youth, athleticism, and precision. They’re the clear favorites to hoist the championship trophy, and their path to a title looks paved with momentum.
As the Finals kick off on June 5, 2025, the basketball world will be watching to see if the Pacers can prove Podziemski wrong by giving OKC a real fight—or if the Thunder will steamroll their way to glory, just as the Warriors’ guard might predict for any opponent. One thing’s for sure: Podziemski’s fiery take has added even more fuel to the NBA Finals conversation.