Indiana Pacers NBA Finals 2025 journey: Pascal Siakam leads the way, Haliburton dishes 13 assists, and the Pacers dominate with elite fast breaks and team play. Read full Eastern Conference Finals breakdown.
For only the second time in franchise history, the Indiana Pacers have reached the NBA Finals, where they’ll face the Oklahoma City Thunder in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown. After a dominant Game 6 performance, the Pacers closed out the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, making a bold statement with their blazing transition offense, elite ball movement, and clutch defense.
Despite never having lifted an NBA Championship trophy, the Indiana Pacers NBA Finals 2025 dream is now alive and burning brighter than ever.
Pacers Turn Up the Heat in Game 6
In a series filled with physical battles and tactical adjustments, Game 6 was where the Pacers clicked on all cylinders. Leading the charge was Pascal Siakam, who dropped a scorching 31 points, while Tyrese Haliburton backed him up with 21 points and 13 assists, orchestrating Indiana’s offense with masterful precision.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where Indiana outscored New York by 11 points, pulling away thanks to their tempo and teamwork. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson, New York’s offensive engine, was held to just 19 points, marking his third-lowest output of the series.
Game 6 Heroes & Highlights
Teamwork Makes the Pacers Unstoppable
After a lackluster offensive display in Game 5 where only Siakam scored in double digits, Game 6 was a revelation — seven Pacers hit double figures, showing just how unselfish and well-balanced their attack had become. Indiana tallied 30 assists, a significant leap from their previous 20, and much of the credit goes to Haliburton, who dished 13 of them while keeping the offense flowing at lightning speed.
Andrew Nembhard Shuts Down Brunson
Stepping into a tough defensive role, Andrew Nembhard took on the task of guarding Brunson — and delivered. With relentless pressure over 90 feet of the court, Nembhard held Brunson to 4-of-10 shooting in the first half and ended the night with six steals, setting the defensive tone for the entire squad.
Thomas Bryant’s Surprise Spark
With Tony Bradley sidelined due to injury, Thomas Bryant returned to the rotation and immediately made his presence felt. In just 13 minutes of play, Bryant scored 11 points, including two critical 3-pointers in the third quarter that helped the Pacers surge ahead.
Where the Knicks Fell Apart
Turnovers Crushed New York
The Knicks committed 18 turnovers, which the Pacers turned into a massive 34 points — a game-breaking stat that reflected both New York’s sloppiness and Indiana’s defensive hustle. The Pacers repeatedly turned defense into fast-break gold.
Transition Defense Collapse
Throughout the series, the Knicks struggled to keep up with Indiana’s pace, but Game 6 was especially rough. Indiana scored 25 fast-break points to New York’s 10, with Siakam frequently sprinting ahead for easy layups after quick outlet passes.
Perimeter Breakdown
The Knicks also failed to close out shooters, allowing Indiana to knock down 17-of-33 (51.5%) three-pointers, compared to New York’s abysmal 9-of-32 (28.1%). The result? A 24-point advantage from deep that sealed the game and the series.
