It’s been 9 years. Nine long, winding, unforgettable years since the last time we saw an NBA Finals series reach a Game 7. That moment in 2016 — LeBron’s chasedown block, Kyrie’s dagger three, the confetti falling in Oracle Arena — has lived in our heads rent-free ever since. And now, for the first time in nearly a decade, we’re back.
The 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder has delivered everything a basketball fan could dream of — and more. Big-time shot-making. Defensive grit. Late-game drama. Coaching chess matches. Rising stars coming into their own under the brightest lights. But above all else, it’s given us what fans have been begging for: a winner-take-all Game 7.
And make no mistake — that’s a rarity.
In the past 20 years, the Finals have only gone the distance five times. Most series end in six games or fewer. Superteams rise and dominate. Injuries derail potential classics. But when both teams are evenly matched, healthy, and hungry? That’s when we get gold. That’s when we get history.
This series has been a throwback to those kinds of battles. The kind where every inch of the court is contested. The kind where role players become legends, where coaching adjustments decide fates, and where one bad quarter can change the legacy of an entire franchise. And it’s fitting that this battle, featuring two of the youngest and most promising squads in the league, will be decided in one last showdown.
Two Teams. One Dream.
Let’s talk about the Pacers. A team many counted out at the start of the season. Indiana built their roster the old-school way — through smart drafting, player development, and savvy trades. Tyrese Haliburton has evolved into a maestro at the point guard position. Pascal Siakam brought championship pedigree and versatility. Myles Turner, the longest-tenured Pacer, has anchored their defense with heart and hustle. And don’t forget about the glue guys — T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard — who have made huge plays in clutch moments.
They’re not flashy. They don’t have the biggest stars. But they play hard, play together, and never back down from a fight.
Then there’s Oklahoma City. This Thunder team is ahead of schedule — and scary good. Built around the brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the shot-blocking unicorn Chet Holmgren, and the do-it-all wing Jalen Williams, OKC has made a Cinderella run feel like destiny. They’ve been the darlings of the postseason — calm under pressure, confident beyond their years, and always rising to the occasion.
This team doesn’t just want to win. They want to make a statement: that the future is now.
Game 6, however, was a gut punch for the Thunder. With a chance to close out the series at home, they fell flat. Shai looked human. The offense sputtered. Indiana punched first — and kept punching. Instead of confetti, the Thunder walked off the floor staring at the harsh reality: one more loss ends the dream.
For Indiana, Game 6 was pure joy. Siakam was sensational. The defense was locked in. They played with desperation and execution, showing the poise of a team that refuses to go away quietly.
And now… we’re here.
Why Game 7 Hits Different
There’s nothing like it in sports. One game. One night. 48 minutes to define legacies. The stakes couldn’t be higher. There’s no cushion. No “we’ll get ‘em next game.” This is it.
For players, this is the kind of game they dream about as kids. For franchises like the Pacers and Thunder — both of which have never won a title in their current cities — this is about more than basketball. It’s about history.
Indiana hasn’t won an NBA title in its entire franchise history, despite the legends who’ve worn the jersey. Reggie Miller came close, but never got over the hump. Now Haliburton and company have the chance to do something iconic — bring a championship to Indianapolis.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, is still chasing the ring that eluded the Westbrook-Durant-Harden era. That team came painfully close in 2012 but ran into a LeBron-shaped buzzsaw. This current squad wasn’t supposed to be ready yet. But they don’t care. They believe. And now they’re one win away from writing their own chapter.
What to Expect
Tension. Intensity. Coaching moves within the margins. Every possession will matter. Every turnover, every rebound, every loose ball — it all counts. Expect stars to show up. But don’t be surprised if an unexpected hero steals the show. That’s the magic of Game 7.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look to bounce back and remind everyone why he was in the MVP conversation all year. Tyrese Haliburton will look to command the game like a chess master. Chet Holmgren and Myles Turner will wage war in the paint. Siakam will push the pace. Jalen Williams might make the play of the night.
And the fans? They’ll be on edge for every second.
9 Years in the Making
It’s been 9 years. But the wait has been worth it. This series has reminded us why we love the game. The sweat, the heartbreak, the celebration, the unpredictability — it’s all here. And now, it all comes down to one night.
This is what greatness looks like. This is what sports are made for.
Game 7. Pacers. Thunder. One ring. Let’s go.
