2025 NBA Finals: ESPN considering drastic change for Pacers vs Thunder due to tornado warning, per report

ESPN is being forced to make some changes to its coverage of Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Weather in the state of Oklahoma has caused the network to take extra precautions, broadcasting remotely according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

Tornadoes were detected in the state earlier in the day, with one striking near Watonga. However, that is roughly 60 miles from the Oklahoma City metro area and the radar at the time of this writing showed no storms in the area. That in mind, things will hopefully continue on as usual.

ESPN/ABC may have to produce Game 2 of the NBA Finals remotely because of a tornado warning in OKC. Mike Breen & company will still be commenting from court side but the production trucks outside the arena may not be available.

ESPN would control the pictures and productions…

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 8, 2025

Indiana enters Game 2 of the NBA Finals with a 1-0 lead after a last-second comeback in the opening game of the series. Tyrese Haliburton delivered the game-winning dagger with 0.3 seconds remaining in a 111-110 victory.

The Thunder are still the the favorites to win the NBA Finals despite their Game 1 loss at -330 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Additionally, the Thunder were 11-point favorites entering Game 2.

OKC was dominant most of the way in Game 1, leading 85-76 after the third quarter. However, Indiana would battle back to make it a one-possession game with two minutes remaining behind a red-hot shooting effort from 3-point range. It was a one-point Thunder lead with less than a second remaining when Haliburton hit the shot to put the Pacers in front.

Whichever team wins the series will be taking home its first NBA Finals. The Pacers won three ABA titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973 but this is their first NBA Finals appearance since losing in 2000.

The Thunder played their first season in 2008-09 after moving from the Seattle Supersonics franchise to Oklahoma City under owner Clay Bennett who bought the team in 2006. They have never won an NBA title since moving, though the Sonics before them can claim the 1979 NBA Championship.

Currently, the Thunder hold a 79-60 advantage with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter. They’ll aim to hang on as the series will go back to Indiana on Wednesday.