The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 after a dominant 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night.
It was a special night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the Pacers delivered a high-energy performance in front of a roaring home crowd. Led by Pascal Siakam’s 31 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s 21-point double-double, Indiana sealed the series 4-2 and booked a place in the championship series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Siakam Bounces Back in Style
Pascal Siakam, who struggled in Game 5, returned with a vengeance. The Knicks had forced a Game 6 with a defensive masterclass earlier in the week, but Siakam wasn’t going to let that happen again. He came out aggressive, attacked the rim with intent, and shot efficiently from the field.
PASCAL SIAKAM IS THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS MVP!!!
He receives the Larry Bird Trophy pic.twitter.com/ucKfAnWPEE
— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2025
By the end of the night, Siakam’s 31 points had not only fueled the Pacers’ offense but earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award.
“After a bad game five, we wanted to bounce back,” Siakam said. “And I have 100 percent belief in my teammates. Whenever we’re down, we always find a way—and we did that tonight.”
PASCAL SIAKAM BACK IN THE FINALS
The 2019 champ, through 16 games this postseason:
21.1 PPG
5.8 RPG
53.7 FG%
ECF MVP pic.twitter.com/WfyvJdJumV— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2025
Haliburton Steps Up Late
While Haliburton started slowly—scoreless in the first quarter—he got into rhythm in the second and became increasingly influential as the game progressed. The All-Star guard finished with 21 points, 13 assists, and a thunderous second-quarter dunk that ignited the crowd and shifted momentum.
“I’m really proud of this group,” Haliburton said postgame. “We had a tough showing last game as a group. We wanted to respond… I don’t even have words right now.”
Haliburton scored 11 points in the final quarter alone, helping close the game out in convincing fashion.
Depth Makes the Difference
Indiana’s bench was a major factor in the win, outscoring New York’s reserves 38-20. Obi Toppin came off the bench to score 18 crucial points, while Thomas Bryant added 11. The energy and production from the second unit kept the pressure on the Knicks whenever the starters rested.
The Pacers had seven players score in double figures, a testament to their balanced and unselfish approach.
Obi Toppin.
Myles Turner.
Ben Sheppard.
T. J. McConnell.
Aaron Nesmith.
Thomas Bryant.
Andrew Nembhard.
Bennedict Mathurin.Indiana’s talented depth has helped secure their first Finals appearance in 25 years pic.twitter.com/uHAnV3QNfs
— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2025
Third-Quarter Surge Crushes Knicks’ Hopes
The game was tight through the first half, with Indiana holding a narrow 58-54 lead at the break. But it was the third quarter that blew the game wide open. The Pacers came out firing with a 9-0 run and built a 15-point lead with back-to-back three-pointers from Andrew Nembhard and Bryant.
The Knicks trimmed the lead back to seven at one point, but Indiana quickly responded, finishing the third quarter up 92-77. From there, it was all Pacers.
Pacers’ Defense Turns Up the Heat
Indiana’s defense was also locked in, forcing 18 New York turnovers that led to 34 points. Nembhard was a standout on the defensive end, recording key steals including one that led to Haliburton’s slam dunk in the second quarter.
The defensive effort kept Knicks stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns under pressure. Brunson finished with 19 points and seven assists, while Towns added 22 points and 14 rebounds. OG Anunoby led New York with 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Indiana’s relentless momentum.
Fast Start, Furious Finish
The opening quarter set the tone for a back-and-forth battle, with five lead changes and end-to-end action. Indiana edged the first frame by a single point and never looked back. Even when the Knicks tried to claw their way back, the Pacers had a response every time.
With the crowd behind them, the Pacers turned up the pace in the second half. Every big moment—every dunk, three-pointer, and defensive stop—was met with thunderous cheers. The energy in the building reflected the magnitude of the achievement.
25 Years in the Making
It’s been a long wait for Pacers fans. The last time Indiana reached the NBA Finals was in 2000, when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. This year’s run has been built on grit, depth, and big performances when it matters most.
Siakam’s leadership, Haliburton’s creativity, and a bench full of game-changers have helped the Pacers write a new chapter in franchise history. With the series against Oklahoma City set to begin on Thursday, Indiana’s return to the NBA’s biggest stage is now a reality.
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