Audio By Carbonatix
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
The NBA evidently heard fans’ complaints about the NBA Finals’ broadcast lack of prestige and responded by putting in the bare minimum effort of slapping a CGI Finals logo onto the court for Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.
Last week, when the NBA Finals between the favorite Western Conference champion OKC Thunder and underdog Indiana Pacers tipped off, many NBA fans took to social media to express their frustration with ESPN/ABC’s broadcast of the event, calling it “auraless.”
Among the complaints were the way the broadcast handled the build-up to/promotion of the game, the National Anthem, starting line-ups, and NBA Finals logos on the courts and jerseys, which used to be a staple of the league (and were replaced by ads for YouTube TV on the court).
In response, the NBA fired up their most promising graphic design intern and had them slap a Clip Art version of the Larry O’Brien trophy onto the Thunder’s hardwood for Game 2.
FANS: The NBA Finals are supposed to be special. You could at least put the logo back on the court.
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 9, 2025
NBA: Here are the terribly low-res digital Larry O’Brien Trophies superimposed on the court like you wanted. They’re glitchy and disappear if we cut back to them too quickly. pic.twitter.com/nVmaDXhjjT
-2 digital graphics (bottom right YouTubeTV and the trophy)
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 9, 2025
-3 painted on floor graphics (Paycom, YouTubeTV sideline, and Michelob Ultra)
This floor is a NASCAR hood. pic.twitter.com/nzjZUkeVkI
As for who will be going home with the actual Larry O’Brien trophy, the Thunder beat the Pacers by a score of 123-107 to even the series at a game a piece before shifting back to Indiana for Game 3 on Wednesday. The Thunder were led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 34 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in the crucial series-tying win.
Over the course of NBA Finals history, the winner of Game 3 when the series is tied has gone on to win the Finals 84% of the time.