On June 19, 2025, the Indiana Pacers delivered a commanding performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This decisive victory forced a dramatic Game 7 showdown, set for Sunday night in Oklahoma City, marking the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016.
Despite battling a right calf strain, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton made a significant impact in the contest, playing 23 minutes and contributing 14 points along with five assists on 5-of-12 shooting. His presence was crucial in a game that saw the Pacers rally to stave off elimination and keep their championship hopes alive.
On the opposing side, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting but struggled with ball control, committing a game-high eight turnovers that hampered Oklahoma City's offensive flow. The Thunder, who led the series 3-2 before this game, now face the pressure of a winner-take-all Game 7 on the road.
The Pacers’ journey to this pivotal Game 6 win was anything but smooth. In Game 5, Andrew Nembhard, a key secondary ball-handler for Indiana, had a tough outing. He scored just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting and committed four turnovers, including three in the final eight minutes. One particularly costly mistake was a backcourt turnover that led to an easy dunk for Thunder’s Cason Wallace, helping Oklahoma City secure a 120-109 victory and a chance to close out the series.
With Tyrese Haliburton’s injury status uncertain leading into Game 6, the Pacers leaned heavily on Nembhard to step up offensively. However, as noted by Brendan O’Sullivan in his analysis of prop bets for the game, Nembhard's offensive production had been underwhelming throughout the Finals. He averaged 10 points on 43.9 percent shooting and just 33.3 percent from three-point range, clearing 10.5 points in the first two games but falling short in the subsequent three. The challenge for Indiana was clear: Nembhard needed to improve, especially if Haliburton was not at full strength.
Despite these concerns, the Pacers’ depth and cohesion proved vital. Center Myles Turner expressed confidence in the entire squad, emphasizing that the bench players like Johnny Furphy were ready to contribute. “I have confidence in the full squad, not just T.J. (McConnell), all our backup guys,” Turner said. Andrew Nembhard echoed this sentiment, highlighting the continuity and togetherness developed over the past few years as a key strength of Indiana’s second unit.
McConnell, who has been a spark off the bench, prepared for an increased role if Haliburton’s injury limited his minutes. “It’s give everything you have,” McConnell stated. “That's what all of us are going to do. We're not going to leave anything to chance or any regret.”
Strategically, the Pacers have been considering adjustments to ease Haliburton’s burden. Coach Rick Carlisle, known for his tactical acumen, looked to find ways to get Haliburton off the ball more often to preserve his energy, especially against a tough defender like Lu Dort who has logged significant minutes shadowing Haliburton. Dort’s defensive prowess, particularly his ability to navigate screens and deny ball access, poses a unique challenge for Indiana.
On defense, the Pacers have experimented with different schemes to contain the Thunder’s dynamic duo, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who combined for 71 points in Game 5. Indiana’s big men, including Myles Turner and Obi Toppin, have alternated between drop coverage and more aggressive blitzing tactics to disrupt the Thunder’s offensive rhythm. However, both Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander have shown the ability to counter these defenses with quick dribble moves and effective pick-and-roll execution.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, has relied on its young core, averaging just 25.33 years old, to push for their first NBA championship in decades. The Thunder have strategically staggered their key big men, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, limiting their minutes together to maximize efficiency. Hartenstein’s decision-making and passing have been instrumental in unlocking Oklahoma City’s offense, particularly in Game 5, where his presence helped create separation against a persistent Pacers defense.
Holmgren, despite his defensive impact, has struggled offensively in the Finals, shooting 37.3 percent overall and finishing Game 5 with a 4-for-15 field goal mark. Yet, many analysts anticipate a breakout performance from the young big man in Game 7, especially if the Thunder focus more defensive attention on Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder’s shooting has been a mixed bag throughout the series. While they launched only 16 three-pointers in Game 4, they doubled that number in Game 5, sinking an impressive 14 shots from beyond the arc. However, their two-point shooting has lagged, converting just 48.4 percent in Games 4 and 5 combined, a stark contrast to their regular-season efficiency.
Tyrese Haliburton’s injury and playing style have had a noticeable impact on the Pacers’ offense. His made shots in the Finals have all come from the right side of the court, and his drives to the hoop have decreased from nearly 13 per game in earlier playoff rounds to nine per game in the Finals. Additionally, Haliburton has driven left only 12 times in the series, limiting the Pacers’ offensive balance and opening opportunities for the Thunder to focus their defense.
Among the Thunder’s role players, Cason Wallace has emerged as a significant contributor. After missing his first eight three-point attempts in the Finals, Wallace exploded for 11 points in 17 minutes during Game 5, hitting three of four shots from deep and delivering key defensive plays. This trend of role players stepping up has been a hallmark of the Thunder’s recent wins, making them a formidable and unpredictable opponent.
Off the court, the Pacers have been active despite their Finals run, orchestrating a draft-pick swap with the New Orleans Pelicans. Indiana sent the No. 23 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and the rights to Mojave King to New Orleans in exchange for the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick. This move marks the first trade executed by a team still competing in the NBA Finals since 2023, signaling Indiana’s intent to build for the future even as they fight for a championship.
Looking ahead to Game 7, the stakes could not be higher. The Pacers, who are 11-11 without Haliburton over the past two seasons, face the daunting task of overcoming the Thunder’s youthful energy and offensive firepower on the road. Meanwhile, the Thunder aim to close out the series and claim a historic title with one of the youngest cores in NBA history.
As the series heads to Oklahoma City, all eyes will be on how both teams adjust their strategies and which players rise to the occasion under immense pressure. With the Finals tied and everything on the line, basketball fans can expect an electrifying conclusion to this hard-fought championship battle.
