Pacers Dominate Thunder 108-91, Force NBA Finals Game 7/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Indiana Pacers kept their title hopes alive with a commanding 108-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Obi Toppin led with 20 points, while Indiana’s defense stifled the Thunder. The championship will be decided Sunday night in Oklahoma City.
Pacers vs Thunder NBA Finals Quick Looks
- Indiana wins Game 6 with 108-91 blowout over OKC
- Obi Toppin scores 20, Siakam adds double-double
- Tyrese Haliburton plays through injury, contributes 14 points
- Pacers erase early deficit with dominant 68-32 stretch
- First NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016 set for Sunday
Pacers Dominate Thunder 108-91, Force NBA Finals Game 7
Deep Look
Facing elimination, the Indiana Pacers turned in a powerhouse performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 to force a do-or-die Game 7. The Pacers, led by Obi Toppin’s 20 points and bolstered by a relentless defensive effort, extended the series to a dramatic finale set for Sunday in Oklahoma City.
The game didn’t start smoothly for Indiana. After missing their first eight shots and trailing 10-2, the mood inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse dipped. Even Pacers legend Reggie Miller, seated courtside in a throwback Jalen Rose jersey, was visibly anxious. But Indiana quickly flipped the script. Over the next two quarters, they outscored the Thunder 68-32 in a dominant stretch that left no doubt about their readiness to fight for the title.
Coach Rick Carlisle called it “the ultimate game,” and the Pacers responded like veterans.
Pascal Siakam delivered a crucial 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton, despite battling a strained calf, contributed 14 points and steady leadership. Bench dynamo T.J. McConnell again played a pivotal role, racking up 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
Indiana’s blowout win marked their most dominant moment of the series. Before Game 6, the Pacers had yet to lead by more than 10 points in any of the Finals games. By the third quarter Thursday night, they were up by 28. The margin eventually swelled to 31, marking one of the Thunder’s biggest deficits of the entire season.
Oklahoma City’s young stars struggled to find rhythm. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, and Jalen Williams added 16, but the team never seriously challenged after halftime.
Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the gap: “They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes.”
Even strategic changes failed to ignite the Thunder. In a bid to spark energy, Alex Caruso started the second half in place of Isaiah Hartenstein, but both teams went scoreless for nearly four minutes to open the third quarter. The Thunder’s offense remained frozen, and their hopes dimmed as Indiana cruised through the second half.
This marks the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016. Historically, home teams hold a 15-4 advantage in Game 7s of the Finals. But Oklahoma City fans may recall one of those rare losses all too well: the 1978 Seattle SuperSonics fell at home in a Game 7—an eerie historical footnote for the relocated franchise.
Still, Oklahoma City knows how to bounce back. Just weeks ago, the Thunder overcame a 45-point deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. Now, they’ll need another comeback on the biggest stage of all.
“Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us,” Daigneault said, summing up a forgettable night. But the Thunder remain alive and dangerous heading into what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 NBA season.
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