The Indiana Pacers delivered a commanding 108-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 19, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, ensuring the 2025 NBA Finals will culminate in a dramatic Game 7. With their season on the line, the Pacers showcased resilience and teamwork, overcoming concerns about star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s calf injury to outplay the top-seeded Thunder and extend their postseason run. The win marks the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 22.
Indiana’s performance was a masterclass in defensive pressure and balanced scoring. Despite Haliburton’s limited mobility, he contributed 14 points, five assists, and two steals in 23 minutes, hitting three crucial three-pointers. Andrew Nembhard stepped up with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting, adding four assists and three steals while stifling Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who managed 21 points but committed a game-high eight turnovers. Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, added 16 points and 13 rebounds, including a highlight-reel dunk off a no-look pass from Haliburton that ignited the home crowd. Obi Toppin led the bench with 20 points, including four three-pointers, while T.J. McConnell’s 12 points and six assists further fueled Indiana’s attack.
The Pacers seized control early, erasing a 10-2 Thunder lead with a 15-2 run sparked by their relentless defense. They forced 22 Thunder turnovers, converting them into 23 points, and held a 17-point advantage in the possession battle despite shooting just 41.3% from the field. Indiana’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 48-31, a critical edge in a game where the Thunder’s offense struggled, making only eight three-pointers and faltering in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City, led by Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams (16 points), couldn’t find their rhythm after a strong Game 5. Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the team’s lackluster performance, saying, “We didn’t have the flow we needed tonight. Indiana’s pressure disrupted us, and we didn’t respond well.” The Thunder, who led 3-2 after a 120-109 win on June 16, now face the pressure of a do-or-die game at home, where they’ve lost only twice this postseason.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s grit, noting, “This is what we do—fight back, stay together. We’ve got one game to give everything.” Fans in Indianapolis erupted as Ben Sheppard’s buzzer-beating three-pointer capped a dominant third quarter, pushing the lead to 15. With both teams alternating wins throughout the series, Game 7 promises to be a historic showdown, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy awaiting the victor.
