• Pacers dominate Game 6: Indiana defeats Oklahoma City 108-91, fueled by strong bench play and a determined team performance.
• Haliburton plays through injury: Despite a calf issue, Tyrese Haliburton scores 14 points and energizes the team with leadership and key plays.
• Game 7 showdown ahead: The NBA Finals are tied 3-3, with a decisive Game 7 set for Sunday in Oklahoma City — the first Finals Game 7 since 2016.

Pacers Dominate Thunder in Game 6 Blowout, Force Winner-Take-All NBA Finals Showdown

The Indiana Pacers weren’t ready to let the confetti fall—at least not for the other team. With a sold-out crowd behind them and their season on the line, the Pacers roared back in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, crushing the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 Thursday night and setting the stage for a dramatic Game 7.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a message.

Haliburton Shakes Off Injury, Sparks Pacers’ Resurgence

Just hours before tip-off, Tyrese Haliburton was listed as questionable. His right calf had been a concern since Game 5, where he hobbled through plays and looked far from himself. But come game time, Haliburton emerged from the locker room ready to fight. And fight he did.

With 14 points, five assists, and two steals, Haliburton didn’t just play—he ignited his team. His energy, grit, and refusal to sit this one out lit a fire under the Pacers.

“We didn’t want them celebrating on our floor,” he said after the game, still buzzing with adrenaline. “Backs against the wall—we answered. Everybody contributed. That’s what makes this team special.”

Bench Power: Indiana’s Secret Weapon

While Haliburton’s presence was inspiring, the true x-factor came from Indiana’s bench. Obi Toppin poured in 20 points, bringing a spark and swagger that the Thunder couldn’t contain. Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s bench 48-37, and the energy shift was impossible to ignore.

Pascal Siakam added a bruising double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Andrew Nembhard chipped in 17 points of his own. The Pacers didn’t just survive Game 6—they overwhelmed Oklahoma City from nearly every angle.

The momentum swung sharply in the second quarter when Indiana outscored the Thunder 36-21, taking a commanding 64-42 lead into halftime. The crowd, which had been anxious early on, was now electric.

One of the highlights? Haliburton intercepting a sloppy pass, zipping down the court, and feeding Siakam with a no-look assist for a thunderous dunk. Moments later, Siakam capped the half with a smooth turnaround jumper at the buzzer. The building erupted.

Thunder Collapse Under Pressure

For Oklahoma City, the night was a disaster from the second quarter on. The team that had dominated the regular season with a league-best 68 wins looked rattled and disjointed.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s reigning MVP, led the Thunder with 21 points. But he also committed a painful eight turnovers—part of a staggering 21 team turnovers. His frustration was visible, and his usual rhythm was missing.

Jalen Williams, who had erupted for 40 points in Game 5, couldn’t find the range. He missed all four of his three-point attempts and finished with just 16 points. As the deficit ballooned to over 30 points in the third quarter, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault pulled his starters, effectively waving the white flag.

The meltdown was hard to watch for Thunder fans, who had traveled in big numbers and hoped to witness history. After all, this franchise hasn’t won an NBA championship since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Its lone title dates back to 1979, when it was still the Seattle SuperSonics.

Now, the dreams of clinching the title in Game 6 have turned into questions—and panic.

First Finals Game 7 in Nearly a Decade

Sunday’s matchup in Oklahoma City will be the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, when LeBron James led the Cavaliers to an unforgettable comeback against the Warriors.

This time, the stakes are just as high.

For Indiana, it’s a chance to make history. The Pacers have never won an NBA championship. Their glory days came in the early 1970s when they won three ABA titles before merging into the NBA in 1976. Since then, they’ve chased the elusive NBA crown—falling short in 2000 when they lost to the Lakers.

Now, after clawing back from a 3-2 series deficit, they stand one win away from completing a remarkable run.

Haliburton summed up the mood perfectly: “One game. All in. It’s gonna be wild.”

Public Reaction: Shock, Hope, and Everything in Between

Social media lit up within minutes of the final buzzer. Pacers fans were jubilant, flooding timelines with blue and gold emojis, memes, and chants of “Game 7, baby!”

Thunder fans, on the other hand, were reeling. Many pointed fingers at the coaching staff for pulling starters too early, while others blamed sloppy turnovers and poor shot selection.

Some basketball pundits called the Thunder’s collapse the worst playoff performance of the season, especially given the stakes. “You don’t just get blown out in a potential championship clincher,” one analyst tweeted. “You show up. They didn’t.”

Others praised Indiana’s heart and hustle, saying this might go down as one of the greatest Finals turnarounds in recent memory.

All Eyes on Sunday

As Sunday approaches, both teams will face enormous pressure. The Thunder return home with their backs suddenly pressed against the wall. The Pacers, once on the brink of elimination, now have a golden opportunity.

Will Haliburton’s calf hold up for one more epic battle? Can Oklahoma City regroup and find the swagger that got them here in the first place? Will youth falter under pressure—or rise to the moment?

Game 7 has all the makings of a classic. One team will write history. The other will be left asking what went wrong.