Pacers Force NBA Finals Game 7: Can Tyrese Haliburton Lead Indiana to a Championship?

By Edcel Panganiban June 21, 2025 19:34

The Indiana Pacers have forced a thrilling Game 7 in the 2025 NBA Finals after a commanding 108-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6. This pivotal win, marked by a 31-point lead at one stage, has revived hopes for the Pacers and put the spotlight on their star guard, Tyrese Haliburton, who played through a painful right calf strain to spark the team’s resurgence.

Haliburton’s performance was a testament to his resilience and leadership. Despite his injury concerns, he contributed 14 points, five assists, and two steals in just 23 minutes, helping the Pacers dominate both ends of the floor. His ability to overcome physical limitations and still deliver efficient playmaking was crucial in a game where Indiana drilled 15 three-pointers and forced 21 turnovers from the Thunder, converting those mistakes into 19 points.

Reflecting on the victory and the upcoming decisive game, Haliburton cautioned against getting caught up in the external hype. “For the next two days, everybody’s going to be talking about how good we looked, how well we played, how much pressure is on OKC,” he told ESPN. “That’s going to be the narrative. We gotta do a good job of staying away from that stuff. I think that can be poison. If we do a good job of just kind of staying within ourselves in the locker room, I think that’s very important for us in these next couple of days”.

The Pacers’ bench also played a vital role, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 48-37. Obi Toppin led the scoring off the bench with 20 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 17 points and Pascal Siakam contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. This balanced team effort was key in overcoming the Thunder’s defensive pressure, which had previously forced 23 turnovers in Game 5 and held the Pacers to 36.7% shooting from three-point range.

Haliburton, who admitted he would have regretted not playing despite the injury, emphasized the significance of the moment. “I wanted to be out there to compete with my brothers. These are guys that I’m willing to go to war with and we’ve had such a special year, and we have a special bond as a group,” he said. “I think I’d beat myself up if I didn’t give it a chance”.

Looking ahead to Game 7, Haliburton distilled the high stakes into a simple mindset: “We’ve got one game. One game. It’s nothing that’s happened before matters, and nothing that’s going to happen after matters.” This focus on the present moment encapsulates the pressure and opportunity facing the Pacers as they seek their first NBA championship in franchise history.

The upcoming Game 7 in Oklahoma City promises to be an epic conclusion to a hard-fought series. The Pacers, led by Haliburton’s grit and guided by a collective team effort, have shown they can rise to the occasion. Whether Indiana can capture the title will hinge on their ability to maintain composure, execute under pressure, and continue to overcome adversity. As Haliburton warned, avoiding the “poison” of outside noise and staying locked in will be critical if the Pacers are to fulfill their championship dream.

In sum, Tyrese Haliburton’s leadership and the Pacers’ resilience have set the stage for a classic Game 7 showdown. With everything on the line, Indiana’s young star and his teammates have the chance to etch their names into NBA history. The basketball world will be watching closely as the Pacers aim to complete a remarkable journey and claim their first-ever NBA crown.