As the 2025 NBA Finals took center stage in Oklahoma City & Indiana, both teams invested heavily in their community. In partnership with Emirates, the NBA used resources to refinish and improve spaces at Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County and Indianapolis through the NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects.

A complete renovation was done to the existing classroom space with the addition of new tech equipment, improvement in the STEM Zone and new spaces for reading & lounging. The renovation also updated the flooring, painting and graphics in both Oklahoma & Indianapolis.

“We always strive to be authentic and be intentional,” Erin Oldfield, VP of Community Engagement for the Oklahoma City Thunder, said. “And having all eyes on OKC and being in the Finals is like an extraordinary moment in time. We’re just trying to do things the Thunder way: leading with authenticity, and intentionality, and having some fun along the way.” 

Corey Wilson, SVP of Community Engagement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said the Pacers emphasized the importance of depth, not breadth, when planning these events. 

“This Legacy project shows and demonstrates the depth of impact that the NBA, Pacers Sports Entertainment and the Indiana Pacers are bringing forward to community groups in the state,” Wilson said. 

With the NBA Finals taking place as a starting point to build a legacy for many players, the same mindset applies to the community. For Oklahoma, their focus was to provide a welcoming environment to a growing city. 

“We’re in the middle of writing our story,” Oldfield said. “We are a young team that has a lot to give, and this is a really dynamic and growing city. The legacy is in the process, but it’s making sure that students, families and individuals are set up for success for future generations.” 

Creating a special environment for the kids was one of the goals for the Pacers and the future possibilities are endless. 

“This is an amazing space and we’re now thinking about how we can use it for other opportunities in some of our other buildings,” Wilson said. “In 49 other states, it’s basketball, but this is Indiana.”

One of the main points of emphasis on the renovations for the Thunder was to bring the branding to the walls so the kids can feel what being part of the Thunder family looks like. From there, multiple projects started to get the space ready, starting from graphics, assembling furniture & hanging new TVs and gaming consoles.

“The Boys & Girls Club has been a community partner since Day One when the team moved to Oklahoma in 2008,” Oldfield said. “The moment we enter the playoffs, the teams are excited to scramble and identify the organizations and have conversations.”

The event had a lasting impact, as the kids will be thinking about the moment when Commissioner Adam Silver, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and both Thunder and Pacers players spoke at the Boys & Girls Club. 

“I know these kids will be able to come up through that space and be inspired and to continue to spark imagination. Just having access is so important for these kids,” Oldfield said.

Similarly, the Pacers pulled resources together to refurbish the multipurpose room and upgrade the design elements to feel the energy of the Finals. The Pacers used their experience when they hosted 2024 All-Star Weekend to plan and execute the Legacy Project this year.

“It’s important to find partners that are really aligned and willing and able to move quickly,” Wilson said. “The other unique thing about this time was we had other corporate partners that were willing to step up as well and donate their goods or services to make this a success.” 

The Pacers had players such as Bennedict Mathurin, Enrique Freeman, Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and RayJ Davis at the event. 

It’s always special for the players to come out and be involved in the community, as the players bring smiles to kids’ faces and themselves. It was tough for Mathurin to leave the space since he wanted to stay and continue playing foosball with the kids.

“Being able to interact with the young people and to see these kids looking up literally and figuratively to these players is a really unique moment because many times this will be the first time they’ve had a chance to interact with each other,” Wilson said.

Thunder players such as Nikola Topić, Branden Carlson, Dillon Jones, Adam Flagler and Alex Ducas were present at the event. By making a mark on the community, the players have become more approachable to the youth. 

The effort starts in the preseason as the team works with them on personal initiatives while integrating them into the community on day one. From going to senior citizen centers to dropping by at schools, the Thunder make sure their players are intentional about connecting and having a presence with their community.

“It’s like lightning in a bottle, what they have,” Oldfied said. “I don’t think you can ever recreate what this team has right now. It’s so special, fun to watch and it has the fans really excited.”