Pacers Force Game 7 After Blowout Win Over Thunder in NBA Finals

Indiana Turns the Tables with Big Game 6 Win

You probably wouldn’t have guessed the Indiana Pacers would turn the 2025 NBA Finals on its head. They walked into Game 6 staring down elimination—and left the court with a thumping 108-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forcing everything to hinge on one wild Game 7. The Pacers were all energy, all night.

Indiana came out swinging from tip-off, suffocating the Thunder’s scorers and jumping to a fast double-digit lead. It started with relentless pressure on Oklahoma City’s guards. T.J. McConnell, always overlooked, was everywhere. He hounded the ball, created extra possessions, and hit timely buckets whenever the Thunder tried to claw back. Tyrese Haliburton turned sharpshooter, nailing deep threes and stretching OKC’s defense thin.

On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—usually the Thunder’s go-to answer—simply couldn’t get his groove. The Pacers sent help every time SGA crossed halfcourt, forcing tough passes and awkward jumpers. It seemed like every time the Thunder tried to hit their stride, Indiana would poke the ball loose or force a rushed shot.

Bench Steps Up, Thunder’s Offense Fizzles

Indiana’s depth became their biggest asset. With the crowd roaring, it wasn’t just the starters doing damage. Guys like Daniel Theis and Oshae Brissett gave Oklahoma City fits off the bench. Jalen Smith and Isaiah Joe snatched rebounds and got hands in passing lanes, playing like the moment was theirs. It turned a close game into a rout well before the final buzzer.

The Thunder’s issues ran deeper than just missed shots. Their defense looked flat—nobody rotated out to shooters, and drives to the rim went unchallenged. Pacers wings zipped around screens with nearly no resistance. The Thunder tried going smaller at times, hoping for a scoring burst, but it never came. Indiana’s bench just kept adding fuel to the fire.

Come the third and fourth quarters, Oklahoma City’s body language said it all. They struggled in half-court sets, turned the ball over in key spots, and couldn’t muster the intensity needed with a championship on the line. SGA did what he could, but Indiana’s swarming hands always seemed to show up in his peripheral.

Game 7 is now the only thing that stands between both teams and a ring. Pacers fans smell blood in the water after this stunning Game 6. It’s been a rollercoaster, and if you’re a basketball fan, you couldn't ask for a better finish.