The Indiana Pacers kept their NBA championship hopes alive in spectacular fashion on Thursday night, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 to force a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals — the first time the title series has gone the distance since 2016.
Led by the heart and hustle of Tyrese Haliburton, who overcame a calf injury to contribute 14 points, five assists, and two steals, the Pacers delivered a complete team performance when it mattered most. The result sends the series back to Oklahoma City tied at 3-3, setting up an epic finale with both teams chasing history.
The Thunder came into Game 6 riding high after back-to-back wins that had them one victory away from their first NBA title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. However, the Pacers had other plans — and they made their intentions clear with a dominant second quarter that flipped the game on its head.
After a slow start in which Indiana missed its first eight shots and fell behind by eight points, the momentum shifted dramatically. A mid-first-quarter three-pointer by Andrew Nembhard gave Indiana their first lead of the night. That shot sparked a 22-11 run to close the quarter, putting the Pacers up by three after the opening 12 minutes.
From there, it was all Indiana.
The Pacers erupted in the second quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 35-17. Their energy on both ends of the floor overwhelmed the Thunder, who turned the ball over 21 times in total — eight of those coming from their MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Indiana’s defense was relentless, their ball movement crisp, and their shots began to fall from all areas.
It was 34-33.
And then…
INDY WENT ON A 30-9 RUN ENTERING HALFTIME.
The. Indiana. Pacers. Do. Not. Quit. pic.twitter.com/gAgco6TIih
— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
Haliburton, who had been questionable to play just hours before tipoff, came alive late in the half. With under a minute remaining before halftime, he snatched a steal and dished a no-look pass to Pascal Siakam for a powerful dunk. Moments later, Siakam drained a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give Indiana a commanding 64-42 halftime lead.
Obi Toppin was the star off the bench for Indiana, pouring in 20 points in a high-energy performance that symbolized the team’s never-say-die spirit. The Pacers’ bench outscored the Thunder’s 48-37, a key factor in the blowout win. Nembhard added 17 points while Siakam finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, continuing his strong Finals run.
Despite the Thunder entering the game with the best regular-season record in the NBA (68 wins), they struggled mightily to match Indiana’s intensity. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points but was harassed all night and failed to make a three-point shot. Jalen Williams, who dropped 40 in Game 5, was held to 16 points and missed all four of his shots from beyond the arc.
PACERS BASKETBALL.
IT’S INCREDIBLE. https://t.co/MNT3QrwpDo pic.twitter.com/t19RJrgJSy
— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
The Pacers led by as many as 31 early in the fourth quarter, prompting Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to pull his starters and look ahead to Game 7. Indiana, meanwhile, coasted through the final minutes, securing the win without any late drama.
Haliburton’s courage and leadership inspired his teammates, and his post-game words reflected the do-or-die mentality: “We just wanted to protect home court,” he said. “Backs against the wall, we responded. So many guys chipped in — total team effort.”
The Pacers are chasing their first NBA title in franchise history. While they have tasted success before in the old American Basketball Association — with championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973 — they have yet to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy since joining the NBA in 1976.
For the Thunder, the pressure is now immense. A team built around youth, speed, and depth, they must regroup quickly if they are to avoid letting their dream season slip away at the final hurdle. Oklahoma City is seeking its first NBA title since the franchise’s lone championship win in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Thursday night’s win marks one of the biggest in Pacers’ playoff history — not just for the margin, but for the moment. Facing elimination, against the odds, and with their leader hobbling, Indiana delivered a performance full of grit, pride, and belief.
Now, with the series tied and the stage set, all eyes turn to Oklahoma City for a Game 7 with everything on the line.
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