Pacers Encounter Tornado Warning on Way to NBA Finals
Oklahoma City — The Indiana Pacers faced an unexpected hurdle en route to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. The team’s chartered flight was diverted to Tulsa, Oklahoma, due to a tornado warning that impacted Oklahoma City, a source confirmed to The Athletic.
The Pacers were set to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 on Thursday. As the plane approached Oklahoma City around 5 p.m., it had to circle the area before diverting, largely due to running low on fuel amidst developing severe weather. Fortunately, the team landed safely at Tulsa International Airport, located roughly 110 miles away.
After a brief stop, the Pacers were back in the air by 5:45 p.m. and touched down in Oklahoma City by 7 p.m. However, forecasts indicated worsening weather, with severe thunderstorms expected to linger over the area that evening, complicating travel for the influx of media and vendors preparing for the finals.
Passengers aboard the aircraft experienced turbulence, with pilots navigating around towering cumulus clouds and strong winds. Amidst the storm, Oklahoma City’s airport experienced a brief power outage, causing outbound flights to be grounded for an hour. Reports from the Associated Press indicated that a tornado was spotted near the University of Oklahoma, about 23 miles south of the city, although it remains unclear if it touched down or caused any damage.
The Pacers’ trip follows a thrilling Game 6 victory against the New York Knicks, marking their first Eastern Conference championship since 2000. Wednesday is designated as NBA Finals media day, where both teams will conduct practices and discuss matchups with reporters.
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