Pacers, Thunder is latest NBA Finals matchup that includes long championship drought

No substance who comes retired victorious successful the 2025 NBA Finals, 1 happening is for definite -- a agelong title drought volition beryllium snapped.

This is the 2nd NBA Finals successful which some participants are connected rubric droughts that transcend 40 years, according to ESPN Research. The erstwhile lawsuit was successful 2021 betwixt the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

The Indiana Pacers person won 3 ABA championships -- which don't number successful presumption of titles successful NBA past -- but ne'er successful the NBA. However, their coach, Rick Carlisle, has been successful this presumption earlier with the Dallas Mavericks successful 2011. Carlisle is the 10th manager to pb aggregate franchises to the NBA Finals. A triumph against the Thunder would marque him the 4th caput manager to triumph titles with aggregate franchises, joining Alex Hannum, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.

The Oklahoma City Thunder technically person 1 rubric arsenic the Seattle SuperSonics, who were champions successful 1979. However, that title banner is held astatine the Museum of History and Industry successful Seattle, not the Paycom Center.

With 1 combined title betwixt the 2 franchises entering the Finals, the bid joins the database of NBA Finals matchups featuring the fewest combined titles since 1980.

Here's a look astatine however those bid panned out.

2021, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns

Combined titles One

Winner: Bucks triumph 4-2

In hunt of their archetypal title since 1971, Milwaukee's roster faced a occupation extracurricular of facing Phoenix. No 1 connected its roster had NBA Finals experience.

The Bucks were the 3rd squad implicit the past 25 postseasons to scope the Finals and person zero games of erstwhile Finals experience, joining the Golden State Warriors successful 2015 and the Utah Jazz successful 1997. It didn't substance for the Warriors, who bushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to drawback their title drought. The aforesaid applied to Milwaukee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5 assists per crippled arsenic the Bucks bushed the Suns successful six games. He notched a decisive 50-point, 14-rebound show successful Game 6, helping the franchise triumph its archetypal title since 1971.

2011, Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat

Combined titles: One

Winner: Mavericks triumph 4-2

In 1 of the much iconic playoff runs successful caller memory, the Mavericks took down prima aft prima to yet exorcise their franchise's demons.

Since its archetypal play successful 1980-81, Dallas reached the Finals erstwhile and mislaid successful the league finals twice. This clip around, the Mavericks got the occupation done against the Heat's large 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Facing a 2-0 bid deficit, Dallas ended Game 2 connected a 22-5 tally implicit the last 7:14 of the game. Dirk Nowitzki capped the comeback with a game-winning layup. Ten days later, helium had 21 points and 11 rebounds to clinch the title connected the road.

2006, Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat

Combined titles: Zero

Winner: Miami triumph 4-2

The archetypal Heat-Mavericks matchup marked the lone NBA Finals bid since 1980 wherever neither squad had won a title entering it. This was besides the archetypal Finals quality for some franchises outright.

Wade led the mode for Miami's championship, averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals successful a stellar performance. Dallas jumped retired to a 2-0 lead, but past mislaid 4 straight.

2003, Brooklyn Nets vs. San Antonio Spurs

Combined titles: One

Winner: Spurs triumph 4-2

Then known arsenic the New Jersey Nets, the franchise's 2nd consecutive quality successful the NBA Finals came against a brewing dynasty. The Spurs had 1 title heading into the series, but were astir to drawstring unneurotic 3 much successful 5 seasons.

Tim Duncan earned NBA Finals MVP honors aft averaging 24.2 points, 17 rebounds positive 5.3 assists and blocks each. He dropped a near-quadruple treble successful the clincher with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks.

1995, Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic

Combined titles: One

Winner: Rockets triumph 4-0

Houston's 2nd of its back-to-back championships marked the extremity of an improbable run. The Rockets entered the playoffs arsenic the No. 6 effect and became champions -- the lowest effect to ever triumph an NBA title.

On the mode to the Finals, Houston took down the 60-win Utah Jazz, 59-win Suns and 62-win Spurs successful that order. Waiting for them connected the large signifier were the 59-win Magic, led by Shaquille O'Neal, who had finished 2nd successful MVP voting.

None of that mattered, though, arsenic the Rockets swept the Magic down a memorable Hakeem Olajuwon run. He averaged 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2 steals and blocks each successful the Finals.

ESPN Research contributed to this story.