NBA Finals: Strong Performance from Andrew Nembhard Helps Pacers Force Game 7
NBA Finals: Strong Performance from Andrew Nembhard Helps Pacers Force Game 7 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Pacers made sure the Oklahoma City Thunder wouldn't get a chance to celebrate a championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, cruising to a 108-91 victory in Game 6.
Advertisement
The win means the NBA Finals will have a Game 7 for the first time since 2016.
Indiana won in part due to a strong performance from former Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard, who scored 17 points with four assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action. He made both his two point attempts and all four of his free throws, while shooting 3-5 from beyond the arc.
Nembhard also had a wicked no-look pass to Myles Turner in the third quarter, one of many highlight reel plays for the Pacers - who were up by 30 (90-60) at the end of the third quarter.
While Tyrese Haliburton (14 points, five assists) and Pascal Siakam (16 points, 13 rebounds) have been the stars for Indiana during the playoffs, Nembhard provides a steadying presence, stepping up with clutch shots and elite on-ball defense for coach Rick Carlisle's club. He was second on the team in scoring in Game 6 behind Obi Toppin, who had 20 off the bench.
Advertisement
On the other side, Chet Holmgren had just four points and six rebounds for the Thunder, shooting 2-6 on twos and 0-3 from three with a pair of turnovers. It was his worst game of the finals, although his -11 in the box score was actually the best among OKC's starters.
The two former Zags will square off one more time for all the marbles on Sunday, June 22, with tip-off beginning at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.
Related: 3 Potential Trade Destinations for Wizards Forward Corey Kispert Before 2025 NBA Draft
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Clippers' James Harden's hilarious reaction to fan's championship request
The post Clippers' James Harden's hilarious reaction to fan's championship request appeared first on ClutchPoints. When James Harden decides to retire, he will go down as one of the best shooting guards in NBA history. However, the Los Angeles Clippers forward lacks one key accolade on his resume; a championship. He and Kawhi Leonard entered the postseason as dark horses in the Western Conference. However, head coach Tyronn Lue could not lead them past the Denver Nuggets. Advertisement Harden's lack of a title has haunted him throughout his career. Ever since he made it to the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, the former MVP has not made it back. One fan reminded Harden about his lack of a ring during Fanatics Fest in New York. Harden was on a panel with Druski when a member of the audience told him to win a championship. The All-Star's humorous reply was captured on video and posted to social media. 'I will, I'm trying!' Harden said to the fan. Despite another first round exit, Harden is not in a bad position when looking at his team. Lue is one of the best coaches in the league. When Leonard is healthy, he is one of the best players in the entire NBA. All the Clippers need to do is put together a fully healthy season to build chemistry before the playoffs. Advertisement Los Angeles will have a hard time keeping all of their players together this summer. However, Harden, Leonard, and Ivica Zubac are all under contract and are not going anywhere. Trade rumors have attached the Clippers to names like Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday. However, general manager Trent Ridden has not yet revealed his offseason plans. Los Angeles has the freedom to get aggressive and hunt stars because of their current makeup. Lue has experience coaching teams with multiple stars, having coached LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harden and Leonard are also malleable around high-profile teammates. As good as Harden was last season, some fans wonder how many good years he has left in him. At 35 years old, the 16-year pro is at the back end of his NBA career. Advertisement However, he showed that he is still capable of filling out an impressive box score. The Clippers are a team to watch this offseason, especially on the trade market. If they make the right moves, Harden could make good on his promise. Related: Clippers' James Harden debuts Hulk Hogan look at Fanatics Fest Related: Clippers' 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in history
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Ortiz pitches Guardians to 4-2 win over Athletics
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Luis Ortiz struck out 10 in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and José Ramírez capped a four-run second with his 900th RBI as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Athletics 4-2 on Saturday night. Bo Naylor and Johnathan Rodríguez had back-to-back RBI doubles off Athletics starter Mitch Spence (2-2). Steven Kwan and Ramírez added run-scoring singles for a 4-0 lead. Ortiz (4-8) walked two and matched his season high for strikeouts. He allowed 14 hits and 10 earned runs in his two previous starts covering 10 2/3 innings. Emmanuel Clase pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 17th save in 20 opportunities. Austin Wynns had an RBI double off reliever Cade Smith in the seventh for the Athletics. Brent Rooker led off the eighth with a triple against Hunter Gaddis before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Max Muncy. Spence made 22 relief appearances before making his fourth straight start. He gave up four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. He permitted just two runs — on solo homers — and pitched five innings in each of his first three starts. Cleveland (38-37) won for the third time on a nine-game trip that ends Sunday. The Athletics (32-47) fell to 15-26 at their temporary home, Sutter Health Park. With runners on second and third in the seventh, Smith struck out Denzel Clarke and retired Jacob Wilson on a line drive to first base to keep it 4-1. The Athletics have scored 335 runs to the Guardians' 283, but A's pitchers have given up 459 runs — 150 more than Cleveland. Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (2-3, 4.15 ERA) starts Sunday opposite Athletics lefty JP Sears (5-6, 5.45) to close out the series. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Ortiz pitches Guardians to 4-2 win over Athletics
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Luis Ortiz struck out 10 in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and José Ramírez capped a four-run second with his 900th RBI as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Athletics 4-2 on Saturday night. Bo Naylor and Johnathan Rodríguez had back-to-back RBI doubles off Athletics starter Mitch Spence (2-2). Steven Kwan and Ramírez added run-scoring singles for a 4-0 lead. Ortiz (4-8) walked two and matched his season high for strikeouts. He allowed 14 hits and 10 earned runs in his two previous starts covering 10 2/3 innings. Emmanuel Clase pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 17th save in 20 opportunities. Austin Wynns had an RBI double off reliever Cade Smith in the seventh for the Athletics. Brent Rooker led off the eighth with a triple against Hunter Gaddis before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Max Muncy. Spence made 22 relief appearances before making his fourth straight start. He gave up four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. He permitted just two runs — on solo homers — and pitched five innings in each of his first three starts. Cleveland (38-37) won for the third time on a nine-game trip that ends Sunday. The Athletics (32-47) fell to 15-26 at their temporary home, Sutter Health Park. Key moment With runners on second and third in the seventh, Smith struck out Denzel Clarke and retired Jacob Wilson on a line drive to first base to keep it 4-1. Key stat The Athletics have scored 335 runs to the Guardians' 283, but A's pitchers have given up 459 runs — 150 more than Cleveland. Up next Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (2-3, 4.15 ERA) starts Sunday opposite Athletics lefty JP Sears (5-6, 5.45) to close out the series. ___ AP MLB:
