NBA Playoffs: A Shift in Rotations

Every time the NBA playoffs roll around, familiar narratives start popping up again. You’ve likely heard them all before: the game slows down, defenses tighten, and teams become more meticulous with adjustments.

While some of these observations generally hold true this postseason, one popular idea has been entirely upended by the two teams heading to the 2025 NBA Finals. The notion that a coach should tighten their rotation in the playoffs? Well, that’s been challenged.

Many teams have leaned more on their starters compared to the regular season, but surprisingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have opted for deeper rotations. This deviation could seriously shift the traditional strategies that coaches employ regarding playoff minutes and player utilization.

The conference champions have employed 11 players, averaging nine minutes each during playoff games. A couple of other teams, the Bucks and Grizzlies, did the same, but since they only played in a single round, much of their playtime included garbage time, which skews the data. Meanwhile, teams like the Lakers and Nuggets primarily relied on just eight and seven players, respectively, during this period. The trend is even clearer when looking at the last four NBA champions, each of whom used only nine players for nine minutes on average.

Reducing a rotation has its apparent advantages; fewer minutes for bench players typically means more time for star players on the court. It seems, well, logical. But the way the Thunder and Pacers have navigated this postseason highlights the complexity of this issue.

Health

It’s undeniable that luck plays a role in avoiding injuries during the playoffs, and let’s face it, load management strategies often seem murky. Nonetheless, it’s tough to ignore the fact that the Thunder and Pacers have managed to stay relatively healthy thus far.

Players like Aaron Gordon and Stephen Curry have faced soft tissue injuries during the grind, but it appears their struggles are at least partially attributable to their heavier minutes. On the other hand, Oklahoma City and Indiana have maintained their players’ well-being, with Aaron Nesmith being the only casualty (an ankle injury) who returned more quickly than expected, thanks to the lighter load he carried with the Pacers.

Winning the playoffs requires a bit of luck, and staying healthy is a big part of that. Yet perhaps we’re learning that having depth and keeping players fresh can genuinely bolster a team’s chances of dodging injuries. Reduced fatigue might help players avoid those unpredictable falls and awkward landings. Maybe the traditional views on injuries need a reevaluation.

Pace

Another notable strength shared between the Thunder and the Pacers is their pace. Both teams are among the fastest in these playoffs, with Oklahoma City and Indiana ranking second and third, respectively (Memphis leads the pack after their first-round matchup against the Thunder). Speed has become essential to both teams’ offensive strategies, and they excel in transition, with nearly a fifth of their possessions occurring on the break. Their half-court offense thrives on quick passes, strategic screens, and sharp cuts to maneuver around defenses.

When there’s less time to transition, players tend to get fatigued more slowly, allowing for sharper cuts and better overall execution. This could be why Oklahoma City and Indiana have found success in tight games, especially when facing tired opponents.

Ball Pressure

On-ball pressure is another cornerstone of these teams’ success. Both rely on an aggressive approach defensively—focusing on physicality, contesting screens, and, quite straightforwardly, investing high levels of effort. The Pacers apply pressure full-court throughout the game, while the Thunder may not start their defense until the opposition crosses midcourt, but they certainly make it challenging once they do.

In truth, the relationship between pace and ball pressure is reciprocal. The more pressure applied to the offense, the tougher it becomes for them to transition back to defense, resulting in exhaustion over time. Both teams excel at wearing down their opponents.

Diverse Approaches

Depth also allows for a variety of strategies to keep opponents guessing. The Thunder often employs a double-big lineup with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein but aren’t afraid to switch to small ball with players like Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams.

With TJ McConnell on the court, the Pacers look like a different squad entirely. If you were to watch only his minutes, you might think he’s an All-Star, leading their offense. However, this is just one facet of the many offensive strategies the Pacers can deploy. They can also adjust their defense to adapt to opponents like Jalen Branson during key rounds.

The broader the range of players a coach can trust, the more adaptable the team becomes, allowing them to handle the unexpected twists of the playoffs.

The Bigger Picture

Some networks might be less than thrilled about having two small-market teams in the finals, but one thing is for sure: NBA franchises are taking notes. As the Thunder and Pacers break from conventional playoff strategies, they may be poised to redefine some of the long-held tropes within the league.