The moment never felt too big for Tyrese Haliburton.
Not when his calf throbbed. Not when Indiana trailed 10–2 out of the gate. And not when the confetti cannons were prepped and the Thunder looked ready to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy on his home floor.
Instead, with the season on the brink, Haliburton and the Pacers delivered their most complete performance of the playoffs — and now, the 2025 NBA Finals is headed to a winner-take-all Game 7.
"The magic carpet ride for the Pacers is not over... they'll play for an NBA title on Sunday night in Game 7."
— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
“We’ve got one game. Nothing that’s happened before matters, and nothing that’s going to happen after matters. It’s all about that one game,” Haliburton said in the aftermath of Indiana’s 108–91 Game 6 romp that tied the series at 3–3.
"We got one game. Nothing that's happened before matters, and nothing that's gonna happen after matters."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 20, 2025
- @TyHaliburton22
After failing to make a single field goal in a 120–90 Game 5 loss and clearly laboring through a calf injury, Haliburton answered the call.
He suited up, chipped in 14 points and five assists in just 23 minutes, and was one of six Indiana players to score in double figures during another trademark team effort.
[ALSO READ: Pacers live to fight another day, push NBA Finals vs Thunder to winner-take-all Game 7]
Now, for the first time in his career — and in franchise history — the two-time All-Star heads into an NBA Finals Game 7. Tip-off is set for Monday, June 23 (PH time) at 8:00 a.m.
“There’s nothing like a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. I’ve dreamed of being in this situation my whole life,” Haliburton shared.
"There's nothing like a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Dreamed of being in this situation my whole life."
— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
- @TyHaliburton22
“What happened in the past doesn’t matter. What happened today doesn’t matter. It’s all about one game and approaching it the right way,” he added.
And more than the stat line, it was his presence — his insistence on competing alongside his teammates — that lifted Indiana’s spirit.
“I think I’d beat myself up if I didn’t give it a chance. I just wanted to be out there with my brothers to compete. That was important to me,” the 25-year-old playmaker revealed.
The Pacers missed their first eight shots of the night and fell behind 10–2 early. But once they settled in, they roared back with a 22–7 run to end the first quarter.
Then came the second frame, where Indiana blitzed OKC 36–17, fueled by swarming defense and timely shot-making. By halftime, the Pacers led 64–42 and that margin eventually ballooned to 31 in the third.
Obi Toppin led all Indiana scorers with 20 points off the bench. Pascal Siakam added a steady 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Andrew Nembhard contributed 17.
T.J. McConnell, once again the emotional engine of the team, tallied 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
“Total team effort,” Haliburton said.
That’s been the Pacers’ identity all year — a team that defies expectations. They started the regular season 10–15. They’ve trailed by 15 or more in five playoff games and came back to win all five.
Now, they’ve pushed the 68-win Thunder — led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and emerging star Jalen Williams — to the brink.
“The ultimate game. One game,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle echoed. “I mean, this is what it’s all about. This is what you dream about growing up — this kind of opportunity.”
"One game. This is what it's all about."
— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
The stakes couldn't be higher 🔥
IND-OKC | Game 7 | Sunday | 8pm/et | ABC
It’s the franchise’s first-ever Game 7 on the NBA Finals stage. It will be the 20th Game 7 in Finals history — and the first since 2016, when LeBron James and the Cavaliers completed their historic comeback against the 73–9 Warriors.
[ALSO READ: For all the marbles: Looking back at every NBA Finals Game 7 since 2000]
The Thunder still have home court for the finale, but the Pacers carry something less tangible — and perhaps more powerful: the unshakable belief that they belong.
No fear. No excuses. Just one game — the ultimate one.
