The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a commanding 108-91 victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, setting the stage for a historic Game 7 showdown—the first in nearly a decade.
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A Decade in the Making
The upcoming clash will mark the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, when LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers mounted an iconic comeback against Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors. It’s also the first Finals Game 7 in 15 years without LeBron James participating—an era that dates back to the 2010 Finals between Kobe Bryant’s Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
The moment was made even more special in Indianapolis as Pacers legend Reggie Miller congratulated Tyrese Haliburton courtside, a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation of Indiana basketball.
“This is what basketball is all about. The atmosphere, the stakes, the history,” Miller remarked postgame. “Indiana basketball is alive and well.”
High Stakes: First-Ever NBA Title on the Line
Both the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are eyeing their first NBA championship, adding an extra layer of drama to the final game of the season. The last team to win their maiden title was the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
As it stands, ten franchises in the league are still chasing their first championship. That list will shrink to nine after Sunday.
Game 7: History Favors the Home Team
Game 7 will be played in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder enjoy home-court advantage. Historically, the home team has prevailed in 15 of the 19 NBA Finals Game 7s, giving the Thunder a clear statistical edge.
However, the Pacers aim to defy the odds and join a short list of teams that have won Game 7 of the Finals on the road:
- Boston Celtics in 1969 and 1974
- Washington Bullets in 1978
- Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016
What to Expect in Game 7
With both teams hungry for their first title and momentum swinging wildly in recent games, fans can expect an emotionally charged, high-stakes finale. The Pacers will look to ride the wave of their Game 6 dominance, while the Thunder will count on their home crowd and resilience to bounce back.
“It’s all or nothing,” said Haliburton after Game 6. “We’re going into their house, but we believe in who we are. We’ve been the underdog all year.”
Tip-Off Time & Where to Watch
- Game 7
- Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
- Tip-off: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, June 22, 2025
- Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, NBA League Pass
Final Word
As the NBA world holds its breath, Game 7 will not only crown a first-time champion but also etch new heroes and heartbreak into basketball history. Whether it’s Indiana or Oklahoma City, Sunday night promises to be one for the ages.