The 2025 NBA Finals have brought us the matchup nobody saw coming but everybody’s loving—Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out to cement his MVP crown, while Tyrese Haliburton is working overtime to earn Indiana its first title in franchise history.
But whether you’re here for the clutch threes, the dramatic flops, or Charles Barkley roasting everyone during halftime, one thing’s clear: this series deserves a little extra… flavor. Enter the 2025 NBA Finals Drinking Game. Designed to keep your spirits high (literally) from tip-off to trophy, it’s the perfect way to turn every foul, turnover, or jaw-dropping dunk into a toast-worthy moment.
Table of Contents
2025 NBA Finals Drinking Game Rules (Player-Based Edition)
These rules are built around the stars. Every play they make (or mess up) is a chance to drink. Keep your wits—or what’s left of them—as these MVP hopefuls keep the action coming.
Drink When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Goes Supernova
- One sip every time SGA drives the lane like he owns it
- Two sips if he pulls out that signature step-back jumper
- Chug if he gets fouled and still scores
- Take a shot if he drops 35+ in a game
Take a Shot for Tyrese Haliburton’s Heroics
- Sip every time Haliburton throws a no-look dime
- Take a drink when he nails a logo three
- Finish your drink if he hits a buzzer-beater
- Shot if he out-assists SGA in a game
Chet Holmgren = Chug Holmgren
- One drink every time Chet blocks someone into next week
- Two drinks for a made three-pointer by a 7-footer
- Chug if he completes a coast-to-coast drive
- Sip if he gets dunked on (hey, balance is key)
Siakam Swag & Jalen Juice
- Sip every time Siakam spins like a top into the lane
- Take a drink if he hits a contested fadeaway
- Jalen Williams dunk = chug
- Jalen steal and score combo = two sips
Commentary & Pop Culture Drinking Triggers
Every Finals broadcast is packed with clichés, celeb cameos, and weird camera shots. Use these to keep the drinks flowing when the game slows down.
NBA Announcer Clichés
- “He’s got ice in his veins” = everyone drinks
- “That’s a veteran move” = take a shot
- “They’re playing with a chip on their shoulder” = sip twice
- Barkley says “turrible” = three drinks immediately
Meme Moments & Celebs
- Drink if a celebrity is shown courtside (double if it’s Jack Harlow)
- Sip when a fan is clearly losing their mind on camera
- Shot if the camera catches a kiss-cam rejection
- If someone’s holding a “Trade [Insert Name]” sign, chug
Commercial Time Drinking Game
- One sip for every sneaker ad
- Two drinks if LeBron is in the commercial but not in the Finals
- Finish your drink if it’s an insurance ad starring NBA legends
- Take a shot if you see a local law firm ad that looks like it was filmed in 2004
Reddit & Fan-Sourced NBA Drinking Game Rules
We dug deep into the trenches of r/NBA and r/DrinkingGames, where the people are funny, unfiltered, and often too drunk to remember their own rules. Here are the fan favorites:
- “Drink every time the refs go to replay for something obvious.”
- “Finish your beer if there’s a wardrobe malfunction or technical issue.”
- “One shot if Kendrick Perkins says something that makes zero basketball sense.”
- “If a player flexes after a dunk, chug while flexing yourself.”
- “Drink twice if the camera catches Luka Doncic watching the game looking salty.”
Build Your Own Rules with the NBA Drinking Game Generator
Want to get even wilder—or just tailor the chaos to your own crew’s inside jokes and favorite players? Check out the NBA Drinking Game Generator.
It’s an online tool that lets you generate custom drinking rules based on real NBA gameplay. You can pick your team, adjust difficulty (from casual sipping to full-send), and even get surprise rules like “Drink every time the coach looks disappointed in humanity.”
Perfect for fans who want their Finals experience to be as unpredictable as a Pacers fast break.
2025 NBA Finals Watch Party Food & Drink Pairings
If you’re going to risk mild dehydration and spontaneous karaoke during the 2025 NBA Finals, you better do it with the right snacks and sips. Pairing food and drink to match the teams, players, and energy of the game takes your watch party from “just watching with friends” to “legendary status.” Here’s how to get culinary with your chaos.
Oklahoma City Thunder Pairings
- Theme: Bold, youthful, slightly unpredictable—just like their offense.
- Drink: The “SGA Smooth”
A bourbon lemonade with a splash of blueberry syrup. Looks chill, hits hard late in the game. - Food: Thunder Tenders with Sweet Heat Sauce
Chicken tenders are never wrong, but this version gets the MVP nod thanks to a spicy honey drizzle. Bonus points if they’re served in mini baskets like you’re courtside. - Wildcard Snack: Lightning Fries
Curly fries covered in queso and jalapeños. Eat fast before your friend claims the last cheesy curl.
Indiana Pacers Pairings
- Theme: Gritty, strategic, with throwback flavor—like a Reggie Miller highlight reel in food form.
- Drink: “Haliburton Highball”
Gin, tonic, cucumber slice. Clean, composed, and weirdly refreshing when your team’s down five with two minutes to go. - Food: Pacers Popcorn Mix
Popcorn tossed with bacon bits, cheddar seasoning, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Sweet, salty, and weirdly addictive—just like Indiana’s offense. - Wildcard Snack: Siakam Spin Sliders
Mini pulled pork sliders topped with slaw and served with a toothpick swirl flag on top. The fancier they look, the funnier they are when someone drops one mid-toast.
For the Sober Squad: “G-League Gatorades”
Mocktails deserve MVP recognition too:
- “Chet Check-In”: Lime seltzer + agave syrup + cucumber
- “Bench Mob Punch”: Cranberry juice, ginger beer, orange wedge
Pro Tip: Set Up a “Timeout Table”
This is your safe zone. Load it with:
- Water bottles
- Pretzels
- Gatorade
- A Sharpie to mark who’s “out of the rotation” for a few rounds
Whether you’re sipping bourbon or smashing sliders, matching your menu to the Finals’ drama makes the whole experience tastier—and a little less blurry.
Conclusion: Sip Smart, Ball Hard
The 2025 NBA Finals is already legendary, so why not make it unforgettable—one ridiculous shot and one ridiculous sip at a time? With the Thunder and Pacers trading buckets and barky commentary flooding the airwaves, this drinking game ensures you’re right in the middle of the madness.
Just remember: this is a game about watching a game. Stay safe, keep the vibes up, and don’t let Chet outdrink you.