INDIANAPOLIS -- In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, the Indiana Pacers secured a stunning 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6, propelling them into the NBA Finals for only the second time in franchise history. Leading the charge was Pascal Siakam, who delivered an impressive performance with 31 points, while Tyrese Haliburton showcased his playmaking abilities with 21 points and 13 assists.
Obi Toppin also made a significant contribution against his former team, adding 18 points and six rebounds. The electric atmosphere in the arena was palpable as the gold-clad crowd erupted in applause when the starters left the game with just 47.2 seconds remaining. Siakam's stellar performance throughout the series earned him the title of Eastern Conference Finals MVP, narrowly edging out Haliburton in the voting.
For the Knicks, OG Anunoby led the scoring with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 19 points to the mix. Despite these standout performances, the Knicks were hampered by the relentless ball pressure from the Pacers, which forced them into committing 17 turnovers. This loss marks another year of disappointment for New York, who have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999.
The intensity of the game was evident from the start, with both teams engaged in a tough and physical battle. Towns was seen limping after a foul, while Haliburton took a hard shot that left him holding his jaw. The physicality set the tone for the game, as both teams fought fiercely for every possession, knowing how much was at stake.
Indiana finally managed to break free from a tightly contested game by launching a 9-0 run at the start of the second half, extending their lead to 78-63. This surge was fueled by three consecutive 3-pointers — two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard — which electrified the crowd. Among the fans were notable figures such as Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, actor Timothee Chalamet, and celebrity Kylie Jenner.
However, the Knicks quickly responded with an 8-0 run to narrow the gap to 78-71. Yet, the Pacers countered with another 9-0 run, establishing their largest lead of the night, forcing New York to play catch-up for the remainder of the game.
Reggie Miller, a Pacers legend and Hall of Famer who played on the 1999-2000 team that reached the Finals, provided commentary for TNT's final broadcast, adding an extra layer of significance to the night. Meanwhile, the Knicks aimed to become the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series, a feat they ultimately could not achieve. New York last won a championship in 1973.
Looking ahead, the Indiana Pacers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. The Thunder have been installed as overwhelming favorites at -750, while the Pacers are listed as +525 underdogs according to ESPN BET. Historical context reveals that in the past 20 years, only the 2018 Golden State Warriors had shorter odds entering the Finals compared to this year's Thunder, highlighting the challenge that awaits Indiana.
The Associated Press contributed to this story, capturing the excitement and drama of a pivotal moment in NBA history.
