In a thrilling Game Six, the Indiana Pacers secured their spot in the NBA Finals with a decisive 125-108 win over the New York Knicks. Pascal Siakam led the charge for the Pacers, scoring 31 points, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed significantly with 21 points and 13 assists. Notably, Obi Toppin performed well against his former team, adding 18 points and six rebounds. As the final seconds ticked away, the gold-clad crowd erupted in applause for the starters, who exited with 47.2 seconds remaining.
The Pacers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One on Friday (AEST). In contrast, the Knicks, who haven’t reached the finals since 1999, were left disappointed as they sought to extend the series without success. OG Anunoby was the standout for New York, scoring 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted 22 points and 14 rebounds, with Jalen Brunson adding 19 points to the effort.
From the outset, the game was marked by physicality. Both teams showed signs of wear, with Towns visibly limping after a foul and Haliburton receiving a blow that knocked him to the ground. The intensity set the tone for a closely contested match.
The Pacers broke away early in the second half, commencing with a 9-0 run that elevated them to a 78-63 lead, aided by three consecutive three-pointers. This surge ignited a lively atmosphere in the arena, filled with notable figures including Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, and celebrities like Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
As the Knicks attempted to respond, cutting the deficit to 78-71 with an eight-point run, the Pacers countered with another 9-0 streak to establish their largest lead of the game. This response forced New York into a desperate chase for the remainder of the match.
Reggie Miller, the Pacers legend who was part of the 1999-2000 squad that fell short in the finals, provided commentary for the match on TNT, reflecting on the franchise’s historic moments. Meanwhile, the Knicks aimed to become the 14th team in NBA history to overturn a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series while seeking their first title since 1973.
With the Pacers’ victory, the stage is set for an exciting final series, as they prepare to take on the Thunder with aspirations of claiming their first championship.