Young Thunder Defy History, Haliburton’s Injury, Finals Fallout, and Can KD Lead the Rockets to the Finals?

The Mismatch

The Ringer

Sports

4.8 • 5.5K Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2025

⏱️ 77 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Verno and Jacoby congratulate the Oklahoma City Thunder on winning Game 7 and defeating the Indiana Pacers, as the guys discuss the sour experience of watching the game after Tyrese Haliburton went down with his injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game 7 performance, lessons learned from these Finals, and what to expect for OKC’s future. They also give kudos to the Pacers for their resilience throughout the playoffs, Rick Carlisle’s influence, expectations for the Pacers next season without Haliburton, and how his injury affects the rest of the Eastern Conference. Next, the guys debate whether Kevin Durant can be the difference maker that Houston is looking for, and if the Suns will trade Jalen Green. (0:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!(0:18) The Thunder Are The 2025 Champs!(0:54) The 2025 Thunder Become 2nd Youngest Champions Ever(4:50) Reaction to Tyrese Haliburton's Injury(13:19) SGA's Game 7 Performance(18:34) Is This The Start of The Thunder Dynasty?(31:00) Rick Carlisle's Masterclass in Playoff Coaching(35:15) Who Are The Eastern Conference Contenders?(42:20) Reaction to the Thunder's "Celebration"(49:45) Rockets Trade for Kevin Durant(1:09:10) Jacoby's Trip to The Original Nathan's Hot Dogs(1:10;55) Mavs Sign Daniel Gafford to Extension(1:11:55) NBA Draft Preview Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Visit creditkarma.com or download the app today. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Chris Vernon and David JacobyProducers: Jessie Lopez and Tucker TashjianSocial: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon.
0:13.0	And joining me to see us every week from the ringer.com.
0:14.9	It's Dave Jacoby. Jacoby.
0:17.7	Verno, no team this young has ever won the NBA championship.
0:24.4	You were so sure that there was no chance the Oklahoma City fetuses could win this championship.
0:32.3	You said that like two months ago before the playoffs started.
0:36.0	And then you watching them last night, which feels like three weeks ago, try, try, and
0:43.4	fail to open champagne bottles.
0:46.5	Explain yourself.
0:48.5	Okay.
0:49.4	First of all, the 1977 Blazers were younger.
0:55.9	That's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that that's that's that's that's that's the defense.
0:59.1	That's all you got.
1:01.4	I made the colossal error in judgment in basing my opinions on the entire history of the NBA.
1:13.3	And I would say that over and over again, when I have used this tactic and based my opinions
1:21.7	on the entire history of the NBA, 80 year history.
1:27.7	It's worked out incredibly well for me.
1:30.4	And I must admit, in the year of our Lord, 2025, it worked out miserably for me.
1:37.6	The Oklahoma City Thunder are, in fact, the NBA champions.
1:42.8	I cannot expect I need to apologize to the Thunder.
1:45.7	They were able to do it despite an age that teams just do not win, right?
1:51.9	Like as we mentioned, the 1977 Blazers are the only team that was this young that was
	...

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