Down 3-2 in the NBA Finals, with the season on the line and their backs against the wall, the Indiana Pacers delivered their boldest and most complete performance of the postseason. In front of a roaring home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6, 112-96, to force a do-or-die Game 7 in what’s already shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable Finals series in recent memory.
This was more than just a win. It was a statement. A statement that the Pacers aren’t just happy to be here. A statement that Tyrese Haliburton is that guy. A statement that Indiana basketball is ready to take the crown.
Haliburton Sets the Tone Early
From the opening tip, it was clear Tyrese Haliburton came ready to play like a superstar. After a quieter Game 5 where the Thunder defense smothered him into tough looks, Haliburton responded with swagger, poise, and elite playmaking. He racked up 17 points and 7 assists in the first half alone, leading the Pacers to a 14-point halftime lead that they never relinquished.
By the final buzzer, Haliburton had compiled 32 points, 14 assists, and 4 steals — a signature performance for the rising face of the franchise. He played like a veteran, dissecting Oklahoma City’s defense with patience, precision, and timely scoring. Whether it was no-look passes to corner shooters or smooth pull-up threes in transition, he was in complete control of the game.
Afterward, Haliburton said it best: “We weren’t going out like that. Not in our house. Not tonight.”
Defense Sets the Tone
While the Pacers’ offense was humming, it was their defense that truly changed the game.
Rick Carlisle’s squad came out with a level of defensive intensity they hadn’t shown consistently in the series. Myles Turner was a menace in the paint, swatting shots and altering countless others. He finished with 4 blocks and 9 rebounds, anchoring a defense that limited the Thunder to just 41% shooting from the field.
Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith swarmed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all night, forcing him into tough mid-range looks and disrupting his rhythm. Though Shai still managed 24 points, it took 23 shots to get there, and he didn’t look nearly as comfortable or confident as he had in previous games.
Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren were held to a combined 10-for-32 shooting — a testament to Indiana’s relentless switching and physicality. The Thunder, who had been moving the ball and creating open looks all series, suddenly found every possession a battle.
Balanced Attack
Offensively, it wasn’t just Haliburton doing the damage. The Pacers showed off the depth and balance that’s defined their Cinderella run.
Pascal Siakam, the only Pacers player with a championship ring, turned back the clock and played with a veteran’s composure. He poured in 21 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and made several key plays in the third quarter when OKC threatened to mount a run.
Turner added 15 points and spaced the floor beautifully, knocking down three triples. Buddy Hield came off the bench and gave Indiana a crucial spark with 11 quick points, including back-to-back threes that sent the crowd into a frenzy late in the third.
Even rookie Ben Sheppard got in on the action, scoring 6 points and playing fearless defense during a key second-quarter stretch that helped the Pacers build separation.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse Erupts
Make no mistake — the fans in Indiana played a role in this one. From the second the teams came out for warmups, the energy in the building was electric. Every defensive stop, every made three, every hustle play was met with thunderous applause.
By the fourth quarter, with the game firmly in control, the crowd was chanting “Game 7! Game 7!” in unison. It was the kind of night that Indiana sports fans will talk about for years — a reminder of the city’s rich basketball history and deep love for the game.
Thunder Look Shaken
For the first time in this Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder looked rattled. Their youthful composure, which had been such a strength all postseason, wavered in the face of Indiana’s full-court pressure and physicality.
Mark Daigneault’s squad will have to regroup quickly. Despite the Game 6 loss, they’ll return home for Game 7 in front of a supportive OKC crowd. Still, the momentum has clearly shifted. Shai and company now face the biggest game of their young careers with everything on the line.
Chet Holmgren in particular will need to bounce back. After an impressive Game 5, he was mostly quiet in Game 6, struggling with foul trouble and failing to find a rhythm offensively. Expect the Thunder to make adjustments, especially in how they counter Indiana’s pressure on the perimeter.
Game 7 Awaits
And now, we have what every basketball fan dreams of: Game 7.
Two young, fearless teams. One final showdown. Forty-eight minutes to crown a champion.
This Pacers-Thunder series has already exceeded expectations, and now it’s set for a dramatic finish on the grandest stage. Will Shai rise to the occasion at home? Can Haliburton complete Indiana’s dream run and deliver the franchise its first ever NBA title?
No one knows what’s coming. But after Indiana’s Game 6 dominance, one thing is certain — the Pacers aren’t just surviving. They’re thriving.
And on the biggest night of all, they’ll have a chance to make history.
