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The NBA Finals will be decided in Game 7 after the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91, at home, forcing a final matchup.
The Pacers entered their last home game of the season needing a win, and the entire team — both starters and bench players — delivered, dominating the game without allowing Oklahoma City a chance to recover.
It marks the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since the Cleveland Cavaliers executed a memorable comeback against the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Tyrese Haliburton (0) of the Indiana Pacers gestures next to Jalen Williams (8) of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals on June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Before Game 6, there were doubts about whether star point guard Tyrese Haliburton would play following a calf strain from Game 5 that limited his effectiveness. However, Haliburton insisted he would be on the court, and he proved his resilience when the game started.
Haliburton returned to form, shooting 4-of-9 from the floor and 3-of-5 from three-point range, contributing 12 points, four assists, two steals, and a rebound in the first half.
PACERS MAKE AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL TO FANS AS THUNDER AIM FOR NBA FINALS TITLE: ‘ONE MORE TIME, INDIANA’
Pascal Siakam also added 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, helping Indiana to a commanding 64-42 lead at halftime, a margin they maintained throughout the game.
Guard Andrew Nembhard found his rhythm as well, finishing 5-of-7 from the floor and perfect from the free-throw line (4-of-4) for 17 points, along with four assists and three steals.
Once again, the Pacers showcased their impressive bench depth, led by their top scorer, Obi Toppin.
Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers celebrating after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals on June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toppin, formerly a first-round pick of the New York Knicks, was on fire, making four three-pointers out of seven attempts and scoring a total of 20 points, while also grabbing six rebounds and making two steals.
Reliable point guard T.J. McConnell contributed 12 points from 6-of-12 shooting, and Aaron Nesmith added another 10 points. In total, 11 different players scored for Indiana, which relied on teamwork to stay alive in the series.
On the other hand, Oklahoma City’s struggle stemmed from excessive turnovers. The Pacers had 11 turnovers in total, but only two in the first half compared to 12 by the Thunder. Oklahoma City finished with 21 turnovers, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accounting for eight of them.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrating during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 19, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Although Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting and grabbed four rebounds with two assists, his inability to protect the ball cost his team, leading to 13 points for the Pacers off turnovers. Indiana also excelled in transition, outscoring the Thunder with 22 fast-break points.
Now, preparation is underway for what promises to be an exciting Game 7 in Oklahoma City this Sunday night.
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