INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 28: Head Coach of Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers talks to Pascal Siakam #43 during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Follow along with the NBA.com live blog, as we bring you the top moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
7:31 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025
First five for OKC’s first road matchup of season
Aaron Wiggins jumps into the Thunder first unit for coach Mark Daigneault, as he’s filling in for third-year guard Cason Wallace, who will miss Thursday night’s contest due to a knee injury. Wallace posted 14 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 7 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals in the season opener.
Getting us started ⚡️@Kia Electric Starting Lineups pic.twitter.com/oH8AC1TFts
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 23, 2025
Pacers and Thunder are live now on ESPN!
7:20 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025
Pacers reveal starters for first game of 2025-26 season
Andrew Nembhard will handle starting point guard duties for Indiana while Tyrese Haliburton continues rehab on his Achilles. Joining him with the first unit will be Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, who missed all but five games in 2024-25 with a torn Achilles tendon.
first five of the season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/IFNXMreXg7
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 23, 2025
Pascal Siakam shows off the soccer skills as he prepares for the first of two 2025 Finals rematches against the Thunder. The 31-year-old Douala, Cameroon native averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks across 78 regular-season starts a year ago for the Pacers.
Pascal Siakam with the soccer skills and slam 👀
Watch a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN for @AmericanExpress NBA Tip-Off! pic.twitter.com/TJIcmBPYMW
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2025
7:08 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025
Oklahoma City’s defense picking up right where it left off
On Tuesday night in OKC, the Thunder held the Rockets to 44.3% shooting from the field (43-97 FG) and 28.2% from 3-point range (11-39 3Pt). They also racked up 12 steals and 4 blocks in their thrilling 125-124 2OT victory.
Stifling defense helped raise a banner in OKC 🌩️
The Thunder held opponents to a league-best 43.6% from the field and 34.2% from three last season! Learn more about Defensive Box Score at https://t.co/LqH2157DeK
NBA Inside the Game powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/4HuC1QObZA
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2025
Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith also gave the Thunder their flowers.
“They would be a Top-8 team in the West without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.” – @TheJetOnTNT
Chuck and Kenny give the Thunder their props 🙌🏀 pic.twitter.com/Nw9k34tWWa
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 23, 2025
6:55 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025
Warriors, Nuggets set for tip at 10 PM in nightcap
Following their 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Opening Night, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors host Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets to cap our two-game slate tonight. Curry, who dropped 23 points with three made 3s and three steals in the win, talks about his star teammate, Jimmy Butler III, and doing “what it takes to win”.
Butler III went to work with a team-high 31 points on 7-for-14 shooting with 5 boards, 4 assists and a steal in 35 minutes on Tuesday. Playing in his Warriors debut, Al Horford played 20 minutes en route to 5 points, 5 rebounds and an assist. He’ll be tasked with trying to slow down the three-time MVP in Jokić .
“He understands what it takes to win and doesn’t care what it looks like.”
Stephen Curry on Jimmy Butler III’s mindset after his 31-point performance in GSW’s win vs. LAL on opening night! pic.twitter.com/X5qu8uYQqu
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2025
6:33 PM / OCTOBER 23, 2025
2025 NBA Finals rematch tips off doubleheader on ESPN
In our first of two star-studded matchups on ESPN tonight, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Indiana Pacers in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals. SGA finished with 35 points after scoring just 5 over 18 minutes in the first half of OKC’s 125-124 2OT win over Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
SGA scored 24 of his 35 points JUST in the 4Q and both OTs for OKC on opening night!
Tonight… the reigning Kia MVP plays in a 2025 NBA Finals rematch 🍿
OKC/IND I 7:30 PM ET on ESPN pic.twitter.com/eN2JYpYHgg
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2025
Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam and the rest of the Pacers have the pleasure of hosting the defending champs to open their 2025-26 season. Check out some of their fits below to get ready for all the action, starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN!
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 23, 2025
