Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Struggled in Game 6.NBA Finals Game 7 | Sunday at 8 PM ET on ABC 🍿

Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals was set up to be a crowning moment for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a 3–2 series lead and just one win away from capturing the franchise’s first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City, all eyes were on the Thunder’s All-NBA guard to close the deal. But instead of a legacy-defining performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled—and the Pacers took full advantage.

Indiana’s 113–110 overtime victory to force Game 7 wasn’t just a story of resilience and clutch shooting. It was also a reminder that even the brightest stars can have off nights. And for Shai, this was a rare one.

Through the first five games of the Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander had been nothing short of spectacular. He averaged 30.4 points per game, shooting efficiently from midrange, controlling tempo, and delivering in big moments. He looked calm, polished, and fully in control of the series. But Game 6 in Indianapolis told a different story.

From the jump, Indiana’s defense came with a clear mission: disrupt Shai’s rhythm, make him uncomfortable, and force someone else to beat them. Rick Carlisle’s crew threw multiple looks at him—hard traps, stunts from the wings, and occasional full-court pressure. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard took turns hounding him at the point of attack, while Myles Turner waited in the paint, ready to contest every drive. The plan worked.

Shai finished the night with just 18 points on 6-of-21 shooting, including 0-of-3 from beyond the arc. He added 5 assists and 4 rebounds, but also committed 4 turnovers and never quite looked like himself. The flow and finesse that usually define his game were replaced by hesitation and frustration.

The turning point came in the fourth quarter. With the Thunder up 7 and the clock ticking under six minutes, OKC had the momentum—and the chance to seal the deal. But Shai missed a pair of jumpers, turned the ball over trying to split a double team, and failed to score again in regulation. Indiana capitalized, tying the game and sending it to overtime.

In OT, Shai had one more chance to flip the script. But on a crucial possession with under 30 seconds left and OKC trailing by two, he passed out of a double-team to Lu Dort, who missed a contested corner three. The decision was sound, but it was symbolic of the night—Shai was playing reactively, not assertively.

Credit must be given to Indiana. The Pacers’ defensive game plan was airtight, and they executed it with precision. But for a player of Gilgeous-Alexander’s caliber—an MVP finalist this season—expectations are sky-high. Game 6 was a missed opportunity to close the Finals on the road and seize the moment.

Now, with the series tied 3–3, it all comes down to Game 7. Sunday. 8 PM ET. On ABC. 🍿

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Oklahoma City, a win would complete one of the NBA’s most impressive rebuilds and validate the franchise’s vision. For Shai, it’s a chance to bounce back and reclaim the narrative. A strong Game 7 performance would wipe away any memories of Game 6 and could define his career moving forward.

Gilgeous-Alexander has shown time and time again that he learns quickly and adjusts faster. Throughout these playoffs, he’s responded to adversity with poise—whether it was outdueling Jamal Murray in the second round or finishing off the Mavericks with a dominant closeout performance. Game 6 might have been a setback, but Shai has earned the benefit of the doubt.

Expect him to come out aggressive in Game 7, especially in front of a thunderous home crowd at Paycom Center. The Oklahoma City faithful will be on their feet early, ready to lift their team—and their star—back to championship-level play.

Still, the pressure will be intense. It’s not just about winning a basketball game. It’s about legacy, about delivering in the most pressure-packed moment of your life. And that spotlight shines brightest on the stars.

Gilgeous-Alexander will need help. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Joe all had strong stretches in Game 6, but no one fully stepped up to take the scoring load off Shai’s shoulders. Coach Mark Daigneault may look to open up the floor more in Game 7, getting the offense moving earlier in the shot clock and finding ways to free Shai from double-teams.

For now, all eyes turn to Sunday night. It’s one game to decide it all. Everything that’s happened over the past six games, all the highs and lows, the big shots and tough losses—it all leads here.

Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rise to the moment and lead his team to the mountaintop?

Or will the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton finish what they started in Game 6 and claim their first title in franchise history?

We’ll find out soon enough.

NBA Finals Game 7 | Sunday at 8 PM ET on ABC. 🍿 You don’t want to miss this.