The Indiana Pacers delivered a resounding response in a must-win Game 6, overpowering the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday to send the NBA Finals to a decisive Game 7.
Obi Toppin led Indiana with 20 points off the bench, while Andrew Nembhard added 17 on efficient 5-for-7 shooting. The Pacers, who trailed 10-2 early, broke the game open with a 68-32 run spanning the second and third quarters.
Pascal Siakam contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a calf injury, chipped in 14 points and five assists as Indiana outpaced the Western Conference champions in nearly every phase.
After missing their first eight shots, the Pacers caught fire, turning a sluggish start into a commanding lead. They built a 28-point cushion by the third quarter and led by as many as 31 — Oklahoma City’s second-largest deficit of the season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 for the Thunder, but the MVP also committed eight turnovers and couldn’t prevent his team from unraveling. Jalen Williams added 16, but Oklahoma City’s starters were benched entering the fourth quarter down by 30.
T.J. McConnell again ignited Indiana’s second unit, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. The Pacers’ bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 48-38 and provided crucial defensive pressure.
Indiana’s defense stifled the Thunder, holding them to 41.9% shooting from the field and 26.7% from deep. Chet Holmgren was limited to four points on 2-of-9 shooting, while Alex Caruso, inserted into the starting lineup after halftime, went scoreless in 22 minutes.
The Thunder failed to generate a response after the break, with both teams combining for 13 straight missed shots to open the third quarter. Oklahoma City never regained momentum.
The Pacers’ performance mirrored their unpredictable season. After starting the year 10-15, they rallied through the playoffs with multiple double-digit comebacks. Now, they’re one win from their first NBA title.
Game 7 will be played Sunday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. It marks the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, when Cleveland won on the road at Golden State — one of just four times in league history the home team has lost a Finals Game 7.
The Thunder, who went 68-14 during the regular season, will look to bounce back behind their home crowd. But the Pacers, tested all year, have shown they’re comfortable in hostile environments.
