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Pacers Defeat Knicks in Game 6 to Advance to NBA Finals for First Time Since 2000

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Pascal Siakam poured in 31 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 13 assists, and the Indiana Pacers surged past the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 on Saturday night to secure their spot in the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history.

Obi Toppin contributed 18 points and six rebounds off the bench against his former team, helping energize a raucous home crowd dressed in gold. Fans gave the Pacers’ starters a thunderous standing ovation as they exited the court with just under a minute remaining.

With the win, Indiana advances to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is set for Thursday night in Oklahoma City.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson finished with 19 points, but New York’s 17 turnovers—many the result of Indiana’s relentless defensive pressure—proved costly.

Despite a physical, high-stakes battle from the opening tip, the Pacers took control in the third quarter. Indiana broke open a tight contest with a 9-0 run to begin the second half, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Thomas Bryant and another from Andrew Nembhard. That burst extended Indiana’s lead to 78-63 and ignited the sellout crowd, which included notable figures such as Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, and celebrities Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

The Knicks responded with an 8-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to seven, but Indiana answered immediately with another 9-0 spurt to reestablish control. From there, New York was left playing catch-up for the remainder of the game.

The Knicks, who were hoping to become just the 14th team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 series deficit, saw their season end short of the Finals—a stage they haven’t reached since 1999. The franchise’s last championship came in 1973.

Saturday’s victory marked a full-circle moment for Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who was part of Indiana’s only other Finals appearance in the 1999–2000 season. Miller served as color commentator for TNT’s broadcast of the game, witnessing firsthand the team’s long-awaited return to the championship stage.

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