JUST IN: Pacers Defeat Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 of NBA Finals to Force Decisive Game 7
In a stunning performance under the bright lights of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday night to even the NBA Finals at three games apiece, forcing a dramatic winner-take-all Game 7. It was a resounding statement from the Pacers, who entered Game 6 facing elimination and responded with urgency, intensity, and inspired play on both ends of the court.
Led by Tyrese Haliburton’s stellar playmaking and a resurgent night from Pascal Siakam, the Pacers bounced back from a tough Game 5 loss in Oklahoma City. Haliburton finished the game with 24 points and 11 assists, dictating the pace from the opening tip and slicing through the Thunder’s defense with confidence and flair. Siakam added 21 points and 9 rebounds, anchoring the Pacers on both ends of the floor with his physicality and versatility.
Indiana’s defense was perhaps the most impressive aspect of the night, suffocating the Thunder’s young stars and never allowing them to find a rhythm. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been dominant throughout the series, was held to just 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting. The Pacers’ perimeter defenders crowded him relentlessly, while interior enforcer Myles Turner patrolled the paint with authority, recording 4 blocks and altering countless other shots.
The Pacers came out aggressive from the start, jumping to a 12-point lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Their ball movement was crisp, their shot selection disciplined, and their intensity on defense unwavering. Indiana held the Thunder to just 40% shooting from the field and an abysmal 5-of-27 from three-point range.
Oklahoma City, the youngest team to reach the NBA Finals in decades, looked rattled at times. Turnovers plagued their offense—17 in total—and they struggled to adjust to Indiana’s physical style. Despite strong efforts from Chet Holmgren (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Jalen Williams (15 points), the Thunder were unable to match the Pacers’ urgency and energy.
Indiana also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Thunder 47-39, and dominated in transition, capitalizing on Oklahoma City’s mistakes with 22 fast-break points. Rick Carlisle’s adjustments to his defensive rotations and bench usage also paid off, with key contributions from Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell, who injected energy and tempo when it was needed most.
“This was a must-win, and our guys showed up,” Carlisle said in the postgame press conference. “They played together, they played hard, and they executed our game plan to perfection. Now we’ve got one more to go.”
The atmosphere in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric throughout the night, with fans rallying behind every big play. Indiana’s crowd, long hungry for a return to championship relevance, provided the spark that clearly helped fuel the Pacers’ performance.
With the series now tied 3-3, the NBA Finals will head back to Oklahoma City for a decisive Game 7—one of the most anticipated matchups in recent memory. For the Pacers, it will be their chance to claim their first NBA title in franchise history. For the Thunder, it’s an opportunity to cap a Cinderella run with a championship, led by a core that is expected to be a force in the league for years to come.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Momentum may have swung in Indiana’s favor, but Game 7s are notoriously unpredictable. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the series, but only one will emerge victorious.
Tipoff for Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The basketball world will be watching as these two resilient teams battle one final time for NBA supremacy.
