Pacers Obliterate Thunder in Game 6 Blowout to Force Decisive Game 7

The Indiana Pacers usually are not but able to see the Oklahoma City Thunder carry the Larry O’Brien Trophy tonight. The Indy squad was all enterprise from the get-go, solely trailing within the first 5:50 minutes of the sport.

Backed right into a nook, the Pacers dropped a decisive 108-91 NBA Finals Game 6 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, forcing the collection to a winner-take-all Game 7 in Oklahoma City —even star level guard Tyrese Haliburton performed via the ache with a calf harm.

Pacers Bring the Heat in a Must-Win Situation

Playing with desperation and coronary heart, Indiana seemed to be the better-read and extra composed unit from the tip. According to USA Today, six gamers scored in double figures, led by Obi Toppin, who contributed an necessary 20 factors in reserve.

Pascal Siakam and Haliburton contributed 17 and 14 factors, respectively, serving to the group tally a balanced offense.

The different gamers who scored in double digits are Andrew Nembhard (17), T.J. McConnell (12), and Aaron Nesmith (10).

But the actual story was on protection. The Pacers brought on 21 turnovers, turning them into 19 factors and limiting Oklahoma City to a mediocre 24.1% from outdoors the arc. The Thunder’s offense by no means discovered a rhythm, and their frustration was evident all through the sport.

Haliburton Plays Despite Injury

Tyrese Haliburton was a game-time resolution after affected by a calf pressure, however you’d by no means have identified it based mostly on the best way he performed on the court docket. Even although he performed simply 23 minutes, it appeared to energise Indiana.

“The Haliban” referred to the efficiency as a “total team effort” and was large on defending their residence turf.

“We didn’t want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor,” Haliburton informed the ABC broadcast. “Backs against the wall, we just responded. Different guys chip in. Total team effort. Really proud of this group.”

Even along with his harm, the 25-year-old guard mentioned he could not bench himself this time of 12 months. For somebody who was as soon as dreaming of reaching the NBA Finals, it is both you play or lose. Now, the tables have turned for the Pacers to succeed in Game 7, it is about time to present all the things they’ve.

SGA Achieves Career-High He Never Could Have Imagined

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder performed nothing just like the assured squad that headed into Game 6 up 3-2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topped the group with 21 factors, nevertheless it was an evening to overlook for the All-NBA guard, who matched his career-high with eight turnovers.

Oklahoma City’s offense was slowed down, and their protection could not match Indiana’s ball motion and hustle. Everything on the road, the Thunder got here flat, hitting solely 24-of-85 capturing from the sector and shedding the rebounding struggle.

The OKC sank 21/26 free throws, however they weren’t sufficient to create momentum in the beginning of the second quarter.

Game 7 Will Be Unforgettable For Sure

Now, all of it boils down to at least one final recreation in Oklahoma City for the 2025 NBA Finals. Momentum has positively shifted within the Pacers’ favor, who’ve proven that they will bounce again below stress.

“It’s a one-game series now,” Haliburton mentioned. “We got a lot of faith in this group.”

The upcoming Game 7 showdown on Sunday would be the first Game 7 NBA Finals in practically a decade. The final Game 7 Finals occurred in 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers got here again from a 3-1 lead towards the Golden State Warriors.