Decisive Game 7 to Decide NBA Title Between Indiana and Oklahoma
The Indiana Pacers forced a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals after defeating the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 108–91, tying the series at 3–3.
Despite star guard Tyrese Haliburton struggling with calf muscle issues, Indiana dominated the game, particularly in the second quarter, where they built a 20-point lead. The Pacers led by 22 at halftime and extended the gap to 31 in the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for the Thunder but committed eight of his team’s 21 turnovers and missed his only three-point attempt. His teammate Jalen Williams, who had dropped 40 points in Game 5, was off form, missing all four of his three-point attempts and finishing with 16 points.
Oklahoma, which had the league’s best regular-season record (68 wins), pulled their starters after trailing by 30 in the fourth quarter. The team had started strong and looked capable of clinching the title early after Indiana missed their first eight field goal attempts and fell behind by eight. However, the Pacers responded with six consecutive made shots, taking the lead on a three-pointer by Andrew Nembhard midway through the first quarter.
Two more three-pointers followed, and Haliburton scored his first basket to push Indiana’s lead to nine. Just before halftime, Haliburton came up with a steal and found Pascal Siakam, who converted to extend the lead. The Pacers, ahead by just three at the end of the first quarter, showed their full potential in the second, heading into the break with a commanding 64–42 lead.
Haliburton ended the game with 14 points and 5 assists. Obi Toppin led the scoring for Indiana with 20 points, including four three-pointers on seven attempts in just 23 minutes off the bench. Canadian Andrew Nembhard added 17 points, while Cameroonian Pascal Siakam contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds, helping Indiana bounce back from two consecutive losses and avoiding defeat on home court.
The winner-takes-all Game 7 will be held Sunday in Oklahoma City and will determine the NBA champion. The Thunder are seeking their first title since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008; the former franchise, Seattle SuperSonics, last won the title in 1979.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are chasing the first NBA title in their history. They previously won the ABA championship in 1970, 1972, and 1973, prior to the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.
This will be the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, when LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 4–3 series win over the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry.
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