Pacers Force Winner-Take-All! Indiana Dominates Thunder in Game 6, Setting Up Epic NBA Finals Game 7
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The 2025 NBA Finals has delivered on its promise of an unforgettable series, and it's now heading to a winner-take-all Game 7! The Indiana Pacers, fueled by a ferocious home crowd and a resurgent performance, absolutely routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, evening the series at 3-3.
This commanding victory marks the first time since 2016 that the NBA Finals will go the distance, setting the stage for a historic conclusion. The Pacers showed incredible resilience, bouncing back from a disheartening Game 5 loss to produce a performance brimming with intensity, defensive grit, and balanced scoring.
Pacers' Collective Effort Overwhelms OKC
Indiana's triumph was a testament to their "total team effort," as described by head coach Rick Carlisle. While all eyes were on Tyrese Haliburton's status, the Pacers showcased their depth, with multiple players stepping up to contribute significantly.
Obi Toppin led the scoring charge for Indiana, coming off the bench to pour in an impressive 20 points. Andrew Nembhard added 17 crucial points, continuing his strong Finals play. Even with a strained right calf that limited his minutes and effectiveness in Game 5, Tyrese Haliburton proved his immense value in Game 6. Playing just 23 minutes, Haliburton put up 14 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, and was a staggering +25 when on the floor, defying expectations for his health. His early contributions helped spark Indiana's offense, which rebounded from a cold start to dictate the pace of the game.
The Pacers' defensive intensity was relentless, forcing 12 first-half turnovers from the Thunder. This translated into a significant advantage in fast-break points (16-3) and bench scoring (19-3) by halftime, where Indiana had already built a commanding 64-42 lead. They sustained their defensive pressure in the second half, holding OKC scoreless for over five minutes to start the third quarter and extending their lead to a dominant 70-42.
Thunder Unable to Find Rhythm
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Game 6 was a frustrating night. Their usually potent offense struggled to find its rhythm against Indiana's suffocating defense and energy. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting, while Jalen Williams added 16. However, outside of these two, the Thunder struggled to generate consistent offense. Oklahoma City finished with 21 turnovers, highlighting the defensive pressure applied by the Pacers.
Despite their strong regular season (68-14) and leading the series 3-2 coming into Game 6, the Thunder now face the ultimate test of their championship aspirations. They will need to regroup quickly and rediscover the cohesive play that has defined their impressive season.
What's Next: A Decisive Game 7
The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 NBA Finals. Game 7 will take place on Sunday, June 22, at 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM PT). The winner-take-all showdown will return to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will have the home-court advantage at the Paycom Center.
This will be just the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history, and only the second time a Finals game has been played on June 22. Historically, home teams hold a 15-4 record in Game 7s, but as the 2016 Cavaliers proved, anything is possible when the championship is on the line.
Basketball fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting Sunday's epic finale as both the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder vie for their first-ever NBA championship.
Game 7: Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT
- Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
- TV Coverage: ABC
