For the first time since 2000, the Indiana Pacers are in the NBA Finals.
They emphatically punched their ticket to the Finals on May 31, dismantling the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at a rambunctious Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Fueled by Pascal Siakam’s dominant performance and a stifling team effort on defense, the Pacers seized control early in the second half.
They never looked back. The victory clinched the series 4-2 and ignited celebrations that leaked into the wee hours of the morning in downtown Indianapolis.
“This is a very special time for our organization and our fans,” Haliburton said. “I am glad to be doing it with this group.”
After the game, Siakam was named the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP, leading all scorers with 31 points.
“Shout out Indy, it has been such an amazing experience since I landed here,” Siakam said with MVP trophy in hand. “This is a first-class organization.”
This moment was even more special when Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who appeared in the Pacers’ last NBA Finals in 2000, handed off the trophy.
Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the offense precisely, recording 21 points, 13 assists and six rebounds.
Andrew Nembhard added 14 points, eight assists and six steals while Obi Toppin provided crucial energy off the bench with 18 points.
The game remained competitive in the first half. The Pacers held a narrow 58-54 lead at halftime.
However, the third quarter proved decisive. Indiana erupted for 34 points while holding New York to just 23. The Pacers’ defense forced turnover after turnover.
The Pacers’ offensive flowed with rhythm, hitting 7 of 13 three-pointers in the third period.
The Knicks, led by OG Anunoby’s 24 points, Karl-Anthony Towns’ 22 points and Jalen Brunson’s 19 points, couldn’t mount a sustained comeback. Their efforts were hampered by 18 turnovers, leading to 34 Pacers points.
Following the loss, Brunson expressed his emotions in few words: “It sucks man. Yeah, it just sucks.”
Indiana also dominated fast break points 25-10, showcasing their speed and transition game.
The Pacers maintained their double-digit lead throughout the fourth frame and extended it to a game-high 21 points.
In the final minutes, both teams cleared their benches. The sold-out crowd of 17,274 erupted as the clock hit zero. Blue and gold confetti rained down, celebrating the end of a 25-year absence in the pinnacle NBA championship series.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle tipped his cap to the Knicks.
“It was a very difficult series,” Carlisle said. “The Knicks were an unreal opponent. So, to be able to win the series at home in front of our fans is huge.”
Carlisle also said the job is not finished.
“This is no time to pop champagne,” he said.
Indiana’s balanced attack proved too much. They shot an efficient 54% from the field and 51% from three-point range for the game. Their ball movement spawned 30 assists. Their defense held the Knicks to 28% shooting from beyond the arc.
Myles Turner, the longest tenured player on the Pacers, being drafted ten years ago, put it simply:
“We might not be the sexiest, flashiest team, but we find a way to get it done,” Turner said.
The Pacers seek its first championship since 1973, when they were a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Turner, who’s been with the team long enough to experience many roster and front office changes, said the Pacers’ NBA Finals berth “has been a long time coming.”
The Pacers now turn their attention to the NBA Finals. They will face the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Despite the road ahead, Haliburton wants to live in this special moment.
“We are not living in the past, not worrying about what’s next, but worrying about what is now,” Haliburton said. “We will enjoy it tonight, but we have a long road ahead.”
Game 1 tips off on June 5 in Oklahoma City, airing on ABC.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. Stay tuned for 2025 NBA Finals coverage here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
