The Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals series is the first to go seven games since 2016 😲

Basketball fans, buckle up. We’ve got a classic on our hands. For the first time since the iconic 2016 NBA Finals — when LeBron James and the Cavaliers erased a 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-win Warriors — the NBA Finals is going to a winner-take-all Game 7. This year, it’s the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder giving us a Finals series for the ages. Two young, hungry teams. Two cities that haven’t touched championship gold in decades. And now, after six games of dazzling skill, grit, and drama, it all comes down to one game.

Nobody saw this coming back in October. The Pacers weren’t supposed to be here. The Thunder weren’t supposed to be here. But both squads defied expectations, riding momentum, youth, and culture to the NBA’s biggest stage. Now they’re locked in a tug-of-war that mirrors the 2016 classic in intensity, unpredictability, and emotional weight.

Let’s talk about how we got here.

Game 1: The Thunder Strike First

Oklahoma City set the tone early with a dominant defensive performance in Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was surgical with 31 points and 9 assists, while Chet Holmgren controlled the paint like a seasoned vet. The Thunder’s length and athleticism rattled the Pacers into 16 turnovers, and the crowd at Paycom Center roared as OKC took a 1-0 lead.

Game 2: Hali Time

Indiana bounced back in Game 2 thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s wizardry. He carved up the Thunder defense for 25 points and 15 assists, getting everyone involved. Myles Turner added a double-double, and rookie Ben Sheppard came up big off the bench with timely threes. The Pacers tied the series and took momentum back home to Indy.

Game 3: Thunder Steal One on the Road

Jalen Williams exploded for 28 points and a game-winning steal-and-slam in the final minute of a wild Game 3. The Thunder clawed back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit, stunning the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd and reclaiming the series lead, 2-1.

Game 4: Pacers Find Their Rhythm

In a must-win scenario, Indiana leaned on their ball movement and three-point shooting. Buddy Hield caught fire, knocking down six threes, and Haliburton dropped 18 dimes — a Finals record. The series was now knotted up 2-2, and basketball junkies everywhere were in heaven.

Game 5: A Thunderous Statement

Back in OKC for Game 5, the Thunder looked like champions in waiting. Lu Dort turned into a two-way monster, locking down Haliburton and contributing 21 points on the other end. The Thunder bench also delivered, with Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace hitting clutch shots. With the win, OKC stood one victory away from their first NBA title since 1979 (when the franchise was in Seattle).

Game 6: Indiana Forces Game 7

You could feel the pressure in the air at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers didn’t flinch. Haliburton led the charge with a 32-point, 14-assist masterpiece, and Pascal Siakam showed why he’s a former champ with big plays on both ends. Andrew Nembhard stepped up defensively, stifling OKC’s rhythm late in the fourth. The Pacers prevailed, and with that, Game 7 was born.

Why This Series Feels So Special

What makes this Finals unique isn’t just that it’s going seven games — it’s how we got here. The basketball has been elite. The adjustments have been chess-like. The energy in both arenas has been off the charts.

It’s also historic. This is the first NBA Finals to go to a Game 7 since 2016, when the Cavs shocked the world. That fact alone makes this series unforgettable. But it’s also a celebration of the new era. There’s no Steph, no LeBron, no KD. Instead, we’re witnessing the ascension of Haliburton and SGA. We’re watching two front offices — Indiana and OKC — get rewarded for building smart, sustainable rosters through the draft and savvy trades.

The stars are young, but the basketball IQ is off the charts. Whether it’s Holmgren’s rim protection, Siakam’s championship experience, or Rick Carlisle’s steady hand, both teams have found a way to deliver under pressure.

And let’s not forget the fans. Indiana hasn’t had this kind of hope since the Reggie Miller days. Oklahoma City has been starving for redemption ever since KD left in 2016. Now, both fanbases are one win away from history.

Game 7: A Legacy-Defining Moment Awaits

This is what it’s all about. One game for everything. And the stakes couldn’t be higher.

For Tyrese Haliburton, it’s a chance to become the face of a new era. He’s already won over fans with his unselfishness, swag, and leadership. Win Game 7, and he cements himself as a top-5 player in the league.

For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s the ultimate test of superstardom. He’s been on a steady rise for years. Game 7 could be the coronation moment that vaults him into MVP conversations for years to come.

For Carlisle and Mark Daigneault, it’s a coaching masterclass. For Turner and Dort, it’s validation. For Holmgren and Nembhard, it’s the start of what could be legendary careers.

Everything — every pass, every screen, every closeout — will matter. The world will be watching.