First Game 7 in the NBA Finals Since 2016 🏆

After years of dominant Finals performances, gentleman’s sweeps, and six-game series, the basketball world is finally getting what it has been craving — a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. For the first time since 2016, two teams have battled to a 3-3 deadlock on the league’s biggest stage, setting the stage for a winner-take-all showdown that promises to be nothing short of legendary.

The 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder has already delivered a postseason classic. Now, it’s entering sacred territory. Game 7. The two greatest words in sports.

The Rarity of Game 7s

Game 7 in the NBA Finals is a rare and special event. Since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, the Finals have only gone to a Game 7 ten times. That’s less than once every five years. And since 2010, only twice — in 2010 (Lakers vs. Celtics) and 2016 (Cavaliers vs. Warriors). Every time it happens, it leaves a permanent mark on the history of the league.

Think about the legacy-defining moments: Paul Pierce diving on the floor in 2008, Kobe Bryant gutting it out with 23 rebounds in 2010, and of course, LeBron James’ iconic chasedown block followed by Kyrie Irving’s dagger three in 2016. Now, we’re about to witness the next chapter in that rich tradition.

Pacers vs. Thunder: New Blood on the Big Stage

This series has been unique not just because of its competitiveness, but because of who’s in it. Neither the Pacers nor the Thunder were consensus picks to make the Finals this year. In a league so often dominated by superstar-led superteams or battle-tested dynasties, this year’s Finals feature two of the youngest, hungriest, and most balanced teams in the NBA.

The Pacers are in their first Finals since 2000, and still seeking their first NBA championship in franchise history. Led by Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking, Pascal Siakam’s experience, and a deep, gritty supporting cast, Indiana has proven that chemistry, ball movement, and defense can still win at the highest level.

On the other side, the Oklahoma City Thunder are officially ahead of schedule. After years of stockpiling draft picks and developing talent, they’ve exploded into contention behind MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rookie sensation Chet Holmgren, and two-way wing Jalen Williams. Their poise and resilience throughout the playoffs have stunned more seasoned opponents — but now they face their ultimate test.

A Series for the Ages

This series has had everything: buzzer-beaters, highlight dunks, momentum swings, and rising stars taking the spotlight. No team has won back-to-back games. Every contest has felt like a chess match between two intelligent coaches, Rick Carlisle and Mark Daigneault. And just when one team seems to seize control, the other responds.

In Game 6, the Pacers forced Game 7 with a dominant road win in Oklahoma City. Pascal Siakam delivered a clutch double-double, and the defense locked down SGA, who struggled under the pressure. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren’s offensive woes continued — now officially holding the worst FG% for a center in Finals history through six games — and Indiana capitalized.

But this series has proven that no momentum carries over. Game 7 is a reset. A test of character.

Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

This isn’t just about a championship. This is about legacy. About validation. About changing narratives forever.

For Indiana, a win would bring their first NBA title ever — a crowning achievement for a franchise often overlooked in league history. It would also be a crowning moment for Haliburton, who would go from promising All-Star to certified franchise legend overnight.

For OKC, a championship would signal the beginning of something potentially dynastic. Winning it all with a 25-year-old star, a rookie big man, and a roster mostly under 27 would send a message: the future isn’t coming — it’s already here.

Game 7 will also influence the legacies of both coaching staffs, front offices, and even role players. Championships change careers. Finals MVPs elevate reputations. Missed shots and crucial turnovers can haunt. Heroic performances become legend.

Who Will Step Up?

Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounce back and have his signature Finals moment? Will Haliburton orchestrate one last masterclass? Can Chet Holmgren finally solve Indiana’s defense and deliver the performance everyone has been waiting for? Or will a role player — T.J. McConnell, Jalen Williams, Myles Turner — step into the spotlight and steal the show?

History suggests that Game 7 heroes come in all forms. Think Ron Artest hitting the dagger three in 2010. Think Ray Allen’s Game 6 miracle leading to LeBron’s Game 7 brilliance. These are the games where legends are made.

A Night We’ll Never Forget

The energy, the pressure, the tension — it will be palpable from the opening tip. Every loose ball will matter. Every possession will be a battle. Coaching adjustments, rotations, and composure will be tested like never before. Fans from Indiana and Oklahoma City — and across the world — will be watching, knowing that one game, one night, one moment will determine everything.

After nearly a decade, we finally have a Game 7 in the NBA Finals again. No matter who wins, basketball wins.

Let’s sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy what’s coming.

Game 7. Pacers vs. Thunder. One game for glory. Let the legends be written. 🏆