Indiana Pacers Dominate Early in Game 6, Look to Force Decisive Game 7 Against OKC Thunder

First NBA Finals Game 7 in Nearly a Decade Set for Sunday Night

Basketball fans, get ready — for the first time in nearly 10 years, the NBA Finals are headed to a Game 7.

The Indiana Pacers forced a winner-take-all finale with a statement victory in Game 6 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night in Indianapolis. With their backs against the wall, the Pacers delivered a gutsy performance, powered by strong showings from Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner.

This marks the first NBA Finals to reach Game 7 since the iconic 2016 showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Sunday's clash in Oklahoma City will determine the 2025 NBA champion in what promises to be a high-stakes, emotionally charged finish to a back-and-forth series.

The young Thunder squad, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, will try to bounce back on home court, while Indiana seeks its first-ever NBA title in franchise history.

Game 7 is set for Sunday night — and the basketball world will be watching.

The Indiana Pacers came out firing in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, building a commanding lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder as they fight to keep their championship hopes alive. Fueled by a high-octane offense and aggressive defense, the Pacers are leaving it all on the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

With their backs against the wall and trailing 3-2 in the series, Indiana is playing with urgency and precision. Tyrese Haliburton has been electric in the first half, orchestrating the offense and hitting from deep, while Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner have dominated in the paint.

On the other side, the Thunder are struggling to match the Pacers’ intensity after their Game 5 win in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have had flashes of brilliance, but OKC’s young core is finding it hard to slow down Indiana’s momentum.

If the Pacers hold on, they’ll send this thrilling NBA Finals series to a winner-take-all Game 7 — a scenario fans and neutrals alike are eager to witness.

Tyrese Haliburton Suits Up for Game 6 Despite Calf Strain

USA NEWS TODAY– June 20, 2025 | 4:38 AM ET

INDIANAPOLIS – Tyrese Haliburton is playing through pain as the Indiana Pacers fight to stay alive in the NBA Finals.

Despite a strained right calf suffered in Game 5, Haliburton was in the starting lineup for Game 6 Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers' star guard had been listed as a game-time decision, but he cleared a pregame strength test during the team’s walkthrough and was given the green light by head coach Rick Carlisle.

“There’s no set minutes limit,” Carlisle said before tip-off. “We’ll watch and monitor things closely from start to finish and make decisions as the game unfolds.”

Trailing 3-2 in the series, the Pacers are facing elimination and aiming to force a decisive Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Haliburton, who vowed to do “everything in his power” to suit up for the must-win contest, underwent extensive treatment throughout the week. His recovery routine included hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, massage, electronic stimulation, and kinesiology taping, following confirmation of the injury via MRI on Tuesday.

In warmups, Haliburton sported a gray compression sleeve on his right leg, just below the knee.

The All-Star guard has been managing a lingering lower right leg issue throughout the Finals, which worsened during Game 5. Though he logged 34 minutes in that loss, he finished with just four points and didn’t make a field goal — tying his playoff career low.

Through the first five games of the Finals, Haliburton has averaged 15.0 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds, shooting 45% from the field.

“We’ve got a job to do tonight,” Carlisle said. “This is the best team in the league we’re facing, and it’s an elimination game. There’s a lot on the line.”