Recreation 7 NBA Finals set as Pacers blow out Thunder to drive decisive matchup

[ad_1] NEW Now you can hearken to Fox Information articles!

It is going to come right down to Recreation 7 to find out who will elevate the Larry O’Brien Trophy, because the Indiana Pacers blew out the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, 108-91, on their dwelling court docket to drive a closing sport within the NBA Finals.

The Pacers went into their closing dwelling sport of the season in a must-win state of affairs – and all the staff, from the beginning 5 to the bench, knew the project at hand, working away with the sport and by no means letting Oklahoma Metropolis sniff an opportunity at a comeback.

Now, for the primary time for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers well-known comeback towards the Golden State Warriors in 2016, there will probably be a Recreation 7 within the NBA Finals.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) motions subsequent to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Jalen Williams (8) in the course of the first half of Recreation 6 of the NBA Finals basketball sequence, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photograph/Abbie Parr)

Heading into Recreation 6, the Pacers weren’t positive if their star level guard, Tyrese Haliburton, can be out there after struggling a calf pressure in Recreation 5 that noticeably hampered his efficiency. Haliburton was adamant he can be taking part in due to the state of affairs for his Pacers, and that’s precisely what occurred when it was time for tip-off.

Haliburton appeared like his regular self on the court docket, going 4-of-9, together with 3-of-5 from past the arc, to tally 12 factors with 4 assists, two steals and one rebound within the first half.

PACERS ISSUE EMOTIONAL PLEA TO FANS AS THUNDER SEEK NBA FINALS CLINCHER: 'ONE MORE TIME, INDIANA'

Pascal Siakam additionally poured in 13 factors on 5-of-7 capturing within the half to assist Indiana run it as much as a 64-42 halftime lead, creating a spot they wouldn’t relinquish.

Guard Andrew Nembhard was feeling it from the ground as effectively, going 5-of-7 with an ideal 4-of-4 from the charity stripe to attain 17 factors to go together with his 4 assists and three steals on the evening.

However as soon as once more, the Pacers gained due to their stellar depth off the bench, which included the staff’s main scorer, Obi Toppin.

Indiana Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates a basket towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in the course of the first half of Recreation 6 of the NBA Finals basketball sequence, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)

Toppin, the previous New York Knicks first-round decide, was raining three-pointers, making 4 of his seven makes an attempt and going 6-fo-12 from the sector total to attain 20 factors. He additionally tallied six rebounds and two steals for the Pacers.

Trusty level guard T.J. McConnell additionally had 12 factors on 6-of-12 capturing for Indiana, whereas Aaron Nesmith added 10 factors. As a staff, 11 completely different gamers scored for Indiana in a sport that wanted contributions from everybody to maintain the season alive.

In the meantime, the Thunder’s ailment on this one was turnovers. Whereas the Pacers dedicated 11 turnovers for the sport, they'd simply two to the Thunder’s 12 within the first half. Oklahoma Metropolis completed with 21 for the sport, and eight of them got here from league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates in the course of the sport towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder throughout Recreation Six of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He didn’t have a nasty evening from the sector, going 7-of-15 for 21 factors with 4 rebounds and two assists. However he wasn’t cautious with the ball, and the Pacers had 13 factors off these turnovers. Indiana was additionally getting out in transition higher than Oklahoma Metropolis with 22 fast-break factors.