It will be an NBA Finals rematch, as Indiana hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n
INDIANAPOLIS \u2014 The Indiana Pacers<\/a> open their 2025-2026 season Thursday inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n It will be an NBA Finals rematch, as Indiana hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n “It’s time to play,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “It’s a team coming in that was great last year. They were great throughout the year. It was a great series. It was a tough series.”<\/p>\n The Pacers lost to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals earlier this year. Players say the momentum will carry over into this season, but it’s also a chance to start fresh.<\/p>\n “I’m ready for a new season,” said Pacers guard-forward Andrew Nembhard. “I’m ready to get back to hooping. Excited that training camp is done, and we can get back to playing basketball.”<\/p>\n “Super excited, man, super pumped,” said Pacers guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. I’m so excited for the game.”<\/p>\n