Best two words in sports: Game 7.
Behind a resilient 108–91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6, the Indiana Pacers have forced the 2025 NBA Finals into a winner-take-all showdown.
[ALSO READ: Pacers live to fight another day, push NBA Finals vs Thunder to winner-take-all Game 7]
The final chapter of a wild and unpredictable series will be written Monday (PH time), June 23, in Oklahoma City. Tipoff is set for 8 a.m.
This marks just the fifth time since 2000 — and the 20th in NBA history — that the Finals will go the full seven games.
From LeBron James’ iconic 3–1 comeback in 2016 to Robert Horry’s cold-blooded dagger in 2005, Game 7s have long been the crucible where legends are forged, and dynasties are either solidified or shattered.
Here’s a look back at the modern-day classics that dared to go the distance since 2000:
2025: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers weren’t ready to go home.
Facing elimination, Tyrese Haliburton gutted through a lingering calf strain while Indiana leaned on its depth and defensive intensity to extend the series.
Obi Toppin scored a team-high 20 points, Andrew Nembhard chipped in 17 points, Pascal Siakam logged a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, and the Pacers drilled 15 threes — seven more than the Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC, who had taken control after Games 4 and 5, couldn’t finish the job at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Now, the series returns to Oklahoma City for one final game — the Thunder eyeing their first title in the post-Seattle era, and the Pacers chasing a storybook ending to their first Finals appearance in 25 years.
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers def. Golden State Warriors, 4–3
Finals MVP: LeBron James
Down 3–1 against the record-breaking 73–9 Warriors, the Cavaliers authored the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.
LeBron James was transcendent — posting back-to-back 41-point performances in Games 5 and 6 to force a Game 7, then delivering a triple-double in the decider.
His now iconic chasedown block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving’s clutch step-back three sealed a 93–89 win in Oracle Arena for the franchise's first ever NBA title.
James averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists — and earned his place in basketball immortality.
2013: Miami Heat def. San Antonio Spurs, 4–3
Finals MVP: LeBron James
San Antonio was seconds from a title in Game 6 — until Ray Allen’s corner triple with 5.2 seconds left rewrote history.
In Game 7, James erased any doubts, pouring in 37 points and 12 rebounds to lift the Heat to a 95–88 win and back-to-back championships. Dwyane Wade added 23 and 10 in the finale of one of the most dramatic title series ever played.
It was Miami’s ‘Big Three’ era at its peak — and the heartbreak that haunted the Spurs until their revenge tour a year later.
2010: LA Lakers def. Boston Celtics, 4–3
Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant
Bryant’s shooting was off, but his heart never wavered.
The Lakers superstar scored 23 points despite a rough 6-of-24 shooting but grabbed 15 rebounds, clawed for every loose ball, and rallied the Lakers from a 13-point second-half deficit to beat the rival Celtics, 83–79, at Staples Center.
Ron Artest’s clutch three in the final minute sealed the win and delivered sweet revenge for L.A.’s 2008 Finals loss to the Boston. Bryant claimed his fifth ring — and maybe his most hard-earned.
2005: San Antonio Spurs def. Detroit Pistons, 4–3
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
In a gritty, throwback battle of defense-first teams, the Spurs and Pistons traded blowouts and heartbreakers.
Game 5 belonged to Robert Horry, who scored 21 points in the final 17 minutes and buried a game-winning three in overtime. Detroit forced a Game 7 behind Chauncey Billups, but Tim Duncan’s steady brilliance proved too much.
The two-time MVP posted 25 points and 11 rebounds in an 81–74 victory, earning his third Finals MVP and delivering San Antonio its third title in seven years.
