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It will come down to Game 7 to determine who lifts Larry O’Brien Trophy as Indiana Pacers blasted Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91, on their home ground to force a last game in the NBA final.
Pacers went into their last home game of the season in a must-win scenario and the whole team, from the first five to the bench, knew the task that was at hand, ran away with the game and never let Oklahoma City sniff a chance of a comeback.
Now, for the first time since Cleveland Cavalier’s famous comeback against the Golden State Warriors in 2016, there will be a game 7 in the NBA final.
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Indiana Pacers protects Tyrese Haliburton (0) movements next to Oklahoma City Thunder -tip Jalen Williams (8) during the first half of Game 6 in the NBA Finals Basketball Series, Thursday 19 June 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
On the way into Game 6, Pacers were not sure if their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, would be available after suffering a veal in Game 5 that noticeably inhibited his performance. Haliburton was firmly by playing because of the situation of his pacers, and that was exactly what happened when it was time for tip-off.
Haliburton looked like his normal self on the field and went 4-of-9, including 3-of-5 beyond the arch, to vote 12 points with four assists, two stealing and a rebound in the first half.
Pacers Issuing emotionally pleasing to fans as Thunder is looking for NBA Finals Clincher: ‘One More Time, Indiana’
Pascal Siakam also poured in 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in half to help Indiana run it up to a 64-42 break lead, creating a hole they would not give up.
Guard Andrew Nembhard also felt it off the floor and went 5-of-7 with a perfect 4-of-4-4 from the charity stripe to score 17 points to go with his four assists and three steals at night.
But once again, Pacers won because of their star depth from the bench, which included the team’s leading goal scorer, Obi Toppin.
Indiana Pacers Spider Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates a basket against Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals Basketball Series, Thursday 19 June 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toppin, former New York Knick’s first round, rained three-pointers, making four of its seven attempts and went 6-FO-12 from the field to score 20 points. He also spoke six rebounds and two steals for Pacers.
Trusty Point Guard TJ McConnell also had 12 points on 6-of-12-shooting to Indiana, while Aaron Nesmith added 10 points. As a team, 11 different players scored for Indiana in a game that needed contributions from everyone to keep the season alive.
Meanwhile, the suffering of the thunder was in this turnover. While Pacers committed 11 revenue for the game, they had only two for Thunder’s 12 in the first half. Oklahoma City ended with 21 for the game, and eight of them came from League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 by Indiana Pacers celebrates during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder during the match six of the 2025 NBA final on June 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
He did not have a bad evening from the field and went 7-of-15 to 21 points with four rebounds and two assists. But he wasn’t careful about the ball and Pacers had 13 points from these revenue. Indiana was also going out in the transition better than Oklahoma City with 22 quick points.
On the other hand, the scene is set to what will be an exciting game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
