Pacers dominate Thunder 108–91 to force decisive Game 7 in NBA Finals
The 2025 NBA Finals will go the distance. With everything on the line, the Indiana Pacers delivered a commanding 108-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, evening the series at 3-3 and sending the championship to a historic Game 7 — the NBA's first Finals decider since 2016.
Obi Toppin led the way with 20 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 17 in a true team effort that typified the Pacers’ playoff resilience. Pascal Siakam also chipped in with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton — fighting through a strained calf — contributed 14 points to help Indiana protect home court and delay the Thunder’s title party.
The Pacers, now one win away from the franchise’s first NBA championship, flipped the script after a cold 0-for-8 shooting start, outscoring Oklahoma City 68-32 over the next 24 minutes in a stretch that sealed Game 6 and left no doubt about their intentions heading into Sunday’s decisive matchup.
“We just wanted to protect home court,” said Haliburton after the win. “We didn’t want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. Backs against the wall and we just responded. ... Total team effort.”
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The Pacers’ Game 6 performance mirrored their turbulent season. After beginning the campaign with 15 losses in their first 25 games, Indiana clawed their way into contention with grit and unity. In the postseason alone, they’ve erased five double-digit deficits en route to victories. Game 6 was their biggest statement yet.
TJ McConnell continued to shine as the spark plug off the bench, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists — his hustle and energy often igniting scoring bursts just when the Pacers needed them most.
Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Reggie Miller — courtside in a Jalen Rose throwback jersey — looked on nervously early before settling in as Indiana took control and never looked back.
Thunder stumble in crucial moment
Oklahoma City, now facing their own win-or-go-home test, looked out of rhythm and rattled by Indiana’s intensity. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, but the starters were benched heading into the fourth quarter as Indiana built a 30-point cushion by the end of the third.
Jalen Williams added 16 points for the Thunder, but the rest of the supporting cast failed to rise to the occasion.
“Credit Indiana,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault postgame. “They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. They went out there and attacked the game.”
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Oklahoma City made a tactical switch at halftime, inserting Alex Caruso into the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Hartenstein. However, the move didn’t pay dividends. Neither team scored for nearly four minutes to open the second half, but it was the Pacers who eventually broke through and extended their dominance.
The Thunder’s 31-point deficit was their second-largest of the entire season — only topped by the 45-point disaster they suffered against Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. That time, they recovered. Now, they’ll need to dig even deeper to avoid watching the Pacers celebrate on their floor.
Game 7 Awaits
Game 7 of the NBA Finals is set for Sunday night in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will hope history is on their side. Home teams are 15-4 in Finals Game 7s. But one of those four defeats came in 2016, when Cleveland stunned Golden State on their home court — a loss that still resonates as a cautionary tale.
With momentum swinging and confidence high, Indiana may just be poised to do the unthinkable.
“The ultimate game,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “One game for everything. Let’s go get it.”
SportsLigue