Pacers Dominate Thunder to Force Game 7: Haliburton Returns, Bench Shines, OKC Stumbles
INDIANAPOLIS — With their season hanging by a thread, the Indiana Pacers responded not with panic, but with purpose. Facing elimination in Game 6, they overwhelmed the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91, breathing new life into the NBA Finals and setting up a dramatic Game 7 (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC).
It was a night defined by heart, hustle, and Haliburton.
Despite a nagging calf strain, Tyrese Haliburton returned to action, providing both poise and playmaking in limited minutes. He tallied 14 points and 5 assists in just 23 minutes, but more importantly, showed no signs of physical limitations. One key moment — a first-half steal followed by a no-look assist to Pascal Siakam — signaled his health and ignited the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.
Indiana’s bench, once again, was electric. T.J. McConnell delivered 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals, setting the tone with relentless energy. Obi Toppin punished OKC from deep with 20 points, while Ben Sheppard’s buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter was the exclamation point on a 30-point lead.
Meanwhile, OKC failed to rise to the occasion. The Thunder lacked urgency and composure, committing 21 turnovers and struggling from deep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, had 21 points and 8 turnovers in what was his most error-filled performance of the playoffs. Jalen Williams, who exploded for 40 points earlier in the series, was held to 16.
“We were going home if we didn’t give everything,” McConnell said. “Now we’ve got another opportunity.”
Game 7 will take place on OKC’s home court, where they went 68-14 this season. But if Indiana can replicate Thursday’s intensity, they could pull off the unthinkable.
In the NBA Finals, Game 7 is sacred — a one-shot duel where anything can happen. And the Pacers, resilient all postseason, have once again proved they are built for moments like this.
“We’ve got one game,” Haliburton said. “Nothing before matters. Nothing after matters.”
