It’s been 25 years since the Indiana Pacers reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Back in 2000, they knocked out the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall to the dominant Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Now, history repeats itself Indiana has once again eliminated the Knicks (4-2) and punched its ticket back to the NBA Finals, this time against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Game 6, played in a packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse, was a showcase of determination and skill. The Pacers cruised to a 125–108 win, led by a brilliant Tyrese Haliburton and a dominant Pascal Siakam, both of whom responded in style after a tough Game 5 loss at Madison Square Garden.

A Crushing Third Quarter

The game was tight early on, with New York holding a slim 25–24 lead at the end of the first quarter and staying within reach at halftime (58–54). But everything changed after the break. Indiana opened the third quarter with a 9–0 run, quickly stretching the lead to 67–54 and taking full control of the contest.

The Pacers extended their advantage to 78–63, and by the end of the third quarter they were up 92–77. In the final period, Haliburton took over and sealed the win with a performance worthy of a Finals leader.

A Night to Remember in Indiana

The atmosphere in Indianapolis was electric. From the pregame buzz to the raucous welcome for the home team, fans filled the arena with playoff energy. A special moment came when the crowd honored Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who was in attendance as a TNT analyst.

For Pacers fans, the dream lives on. Indiana is heading back to the NBA Finals for just the second time in its history, and the city is ready to rally behind its team once again.

An Unexpected, but Deserved Finalist

The Pacers will travel to Oklahoma City to open the series. As they did against Milwaukee in the first round, Cleveland in the second, and New York in the East Finals, Indiana enters the championship as the underdog. But that underdog status has fueled them all postseason.

The Thunder may be the favorites, but the Pacers have proven to be the team no one wants to face. With Haliburton playing at an elite level, a deep and cohesive roster, and a passionate fan base behind them, Indiana is hoping this time the story ends with a championship.