In this episode of The Hoop and the Harm, Brendan and Nolan break down the 2025 NBA Finals — a championship series marked by incredible play, unexpected injuries, and questions about the future.

With Halliburton and Tatum out for the next season, what does the Eastern Conference look like now? Did OKC prove themselves worthy of the title, or did Indiana’s injuries hand it to them? The guys dive into:

• The impact of Halliburton’s Game 7 injury

• OKC’s championship inconsistencies

• The Pacers’ rise and potential dominance next year

• Whether the NBA should change playoff formats

• Why Indiana’s bigs outplayed expectations

From Caruso’s “real ring” moment to whether this OKC core stays hungry, it’s a deep dive into team culture, playoff strategy, and the ripple effects of NBA injuries.

00:00 Introduction and Finals Overview

00:54 Impact of Injuries on the Finals

01:35 OKC's Performance and Future Prospects

02:03 Eastern Conference Dynamics and Knicks' Prospects

04:05 Indiana's Resilience and Playoff Journey

06:49 Reflections on the Finals and Championship Legitimacy

08:49 Debate on NBA Playoff Format

15:34 Indiana's Big Men and Future Outlook

20:54 Conclusion and Offseason Speculations

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into how money, stats, and streaks shape NBA performance — only on BadderSports.

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