My keys to Game 6

The Indiana Pacers extend their season, routing the Oklahoma City Thunder to force the first Game 7 in an NBA Finals since 2016 Getty Images
With their season on the line, the Indiana Pacers showcased a rousing performance in front of their home fans in Game 6. They thumped the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to force a Game 7 in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Tyrese Haliburton, who is dealing with a calf injury, made his presence felt in this potential elimination game. He played 23 minutes, tallying 14 points and five assists on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field but committed a game-high eight turnovers in defeat.
Game 7, the first in an NBA Finals since 2016, will be Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City.
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The 2024-2025 NBA season could end Thursday. It's the first time the Indiana Pacers are facing elimination this postseason, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have a chance to clinch their first championship since relocating the franchise from Seattle in 2008.
For the Thunder, this game could determine the Finals MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front runner, but the emergence of Jalen Williams as a primary playmaker and scorer puts him into consideration as well.
On the other hand, Indiana is coming off of back-to-back losses for the first time in more than three months. Like last year, star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is in danger of not being able to play with his team facing elimination.
But the Pacers were competitive without Haliburton in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics a year ago. And they also have experience from last year's semifinals against the New York Knicks in being down 3-2 in a series.
If Haliburton can't play, expect Bennedict Mathurin to start, Andrew Nembhard's touches to increase, and a lot more TJ McConnell and Ben Sheppard. But none of that will matter if Pascal Siakam can't deliver his best performance. And even if Indiana rises to the occasion, they will still be at the mercy of Gilgeous-Alexander's output. Here are the keys to Game 6. Getty Images
As the crowd celebrated the Indiana Pacers winning the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, center Myles Turner took the mic from the Pacers' postgame host. With a beaming smile, Turner patted his chest with pride and looked out at the crowd.
'Indyyyyyyyy!' he yelled.
'Anaaaaaaaaaa!' the crowd yelled in response.
'Indyyyyyyyyy!'
'Anaaaaaaaaaaa!'
It was a moment a decade in the making. Turner, the longest-tenured member of the Pacers, arrived as the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has spent his entire career in blue and gold.
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Myles Turner, the longest-tenured Pacer, is 'the backbone' for the franchise and community Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said star guard Tyrese Haliburton (strained calf) will play Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Carlisle said Haliburton would not be limited but the Pacers will "monitor things very closely." The announcement was not a surprise — Haliburton always said he intended to play — but the all-NBA point guard passed a series of tests this afternoon to be a part of the action.
Haliburton suffered the injury in a Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It happened in the first quarter, and Haliburton remained in the game, finishing with four points, seven rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes. He was 0-of-6 from the field.
The Thunder lead the series, 3-2, and can win their first championship since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. Getty Images
Jalen Williams is becoming a superstar in these NBA Finals. The Thunder are relying on Williams more than ever before, and it resulted in an emphatic 40-point performance in Game 5 to propel Oklahoma City one step closer to a championship.
As the Indiana Pacers have keyed in on NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have progressively asked Williams to handle the ball more, with his usage increasing in every game of the series.
What Williams does defensively is well-known. He earned a second-team All-Defense nod this season for the way he turns steals and blocks into transition opportunities.
He's comfortable doing whatever's required of him. He's an elite cutter, using his awareness off the ball to burst into openings. He's a potent catch-and-shoot player as well, making him dangerous on the move.
But it's his drives to the basket that have blossomed recently.
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No, we're not talking about the S&P. We're talking about the S&B! Steals and blocks! Game 5 saw the Thunder really go heavy on creating live-ball turnovers and protecting the rim. The Thunder had 27 stocks, with 15 steals and 12 blocks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had four of their blocks as Chet Holmgren shook off a tough scoring game by grabbing 11 boards and blocking three shots. Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace each had four steals off the bench.
The steals helped lead to 23 turnovers, which created 32 points. The Thunder have done a great job of turning over a Pacers team that doesn't typically give the ball away.
Even as they prepare for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers began their offseason wheeling and dealing early on Tuesday, swinging a draft-pick swap with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source confirmed.
The Pacers become the first team since 2023 to pull off a trade while they are still playing in the NBA Finals, as Indiana agreed to send New Orleans the No. 23 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and the rights to Mojave King in exchange for the Pacers' 2026 first-round pick, which the Pelicans previously acquired in the deal that sent Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors.
ESPN was first to report the news.
Spending 10 seasons with the same team is rare in the NBA. In this year's playoffs, Myles Turner has relished every moment, understanding that the opportunity to play for a championship doesn't come easy or often.
"It's just the moment itself, man," Turner said of his postseason experience. "Every single day, just how painful it is after a game, how much you don't sleep, how much better the food tastes. All the little things, I'm not taking it for granted. Just finally being here and finally being able to soak my feet in the moment. Just taking it day-by-day. I think the best part about it is just the process of it all. It's been a lot of fun.
"Just the fact that I'm here. I may not ever get this opportunity again so I'm just going to take full advantage of it. That's the biggest value; the fact that you worked hard to get here and just never knowing where that opportunity is gonna present itself."
Turner's loyalty is the reason that he is the Pacer who other Pacers, veterans and youngsters alike, turn to. It's not only his contributions on the court that matter to his teammates, but also who he is to them off of it.
"S—, he's the backbone," veteran James Johnson said. "The man does all the hard work. He does everything without complaining, and he's super professional. He's a good example for any kids or any rookies, fifth-year, sixth-year guys in the league. He's a perfect example and a great inspiration on how you should always carry yourself.
"He works out hard every day. He don't miss days, even on days that's off days, he's doing something for his body to be better. That's a testament to how much he loves the game."
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Game 5 was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 15th game of 30-plus points in this postseason.
The full list of players accomplish that feat in a single playoff run, per the NBA: Michael Jordan (1992)
(1992) Hakeem Olajuwon (1995)
(1995) Kobe Bryant (2009)
(2009) SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER (2025)
Nathan S.: If Tyrese Haliburton was so bad when injured, isn't it incredibly selfish of him to want to keep playing? Why take minutes from a player who can score more than four points?
Anonymous: I like how the "what-ifs" never mention by far the biggest what-if in the series: What if the Thunder didn't collapse in Game 1 and just hand the Pacers the win? To act as if they gave away Game 4 but didn't benefit 10-fold from OKC's give-away in Game 1 is just silly. As for Halliburton ... he's obviously pretty badly hurt. That sucks for the Pacers - and for NBA fans. As one who doesn't root for either team, I want everybody to be at full strength and playing well.
Robert M.: Tyrese was off, and the Pacers' turnovers were atrocious, but what has really sunk them the last two games is the SGA-Jalen Williams two-man game. If they can't defend that better in Game 6, the Pacers are toast.
Zach G.: I know he's hurt but Tyrese Haliburton's tendency to disappear in playoff games even when he's allegedly healthy is wild. He shouldn't play if he can't contribute and it shouldn't really be up to him. Rick Carlisle is in an impossible position unless he plays lights out, honestly: he'll get killed if he keeps him out and he'll get killed if he plays him but he doesn't contribute. Getty Images
Andrew Nembhard likely wishes he could have the fourth quarter of Game 5 back. The Pacers guard committed three turnovers in the final eight minutes, none more brutal than when he tossed the ball into the backcourt for what turned into an easy dunk for OKC's Cason Wallace that gave the Thunder a seven-point lead. Indiana had clawed its way back from an 18-point deficit, at one point cutting the lead to just two, but Nembhard's late-game blunders helped Oklahoma City hang on for a 120-109 victory.
If the Pacers hope to extend their season with a Game 6 victory, Nembhard must be better, especially with Tyrese Haliburton's status up in the air. The Pacer star is dealing with a right calf strain and may be unavailable or compromised if he suits up Thursday night. Nembhard has thrived as Indiana's secondary ball-handler this season, and despite his uncharacteristic mistakes in Game 5, Indiana will likely put the ball in his hands again with its season on the line. Getty Images
Assuming Tyrese Haliburton plays through his calf injury, Rick Carlsile and the Indiana Pacers will look for ways to lessen his workload. It is not as if Haliburton is the only Pacer to ever take the ball up the floor, but the Pacers could look for more opportunities to get Haliburton off the ball, at least to start possessions.
I wonder how much 'easier' that makes a possession, though. Lu Dort is the Thunder player who has spent the most time on Haliburton, and it hasn't been close. Dort has logged 147.6 possessions on Haliburton, with Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace at 52.8 and 44 possessions, respectively, per nba.com. Dort's best trait is as a defender is his ability to navigate screens, but he is effective at denying the ball, too. It seems like a lot of work to break free from the First Team All-Defense member.
The Pacers mix it up and have multiple players who can push the pace or initiate sets. Haliburton is their most dangerous ballhandler, though. Could an injury and Dort turn him into a decoy? If so, that would be hard for the Pacers to overcome.
Even as they prepare for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers began their offseason wheeling and dealing early on Tuesday, swinging a draft-pick swap with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source confirmed.
The Pacers become the first team since 2023 to pull off a trade while they are still playing in the NBA Finals, as Indiana agreed to send New Orleans the No. 23 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and the rights to Mojave King in exchange for the Pacers' 2026 first-round pick, which the Pelicans previously acquired in the deal that sent Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors. Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
This time of year, there will always be a lot of conversation about adjustments that coaches need to make. Whether it is their tactics or their substitution patterns, the perception is always that coaches have an outsized amount of control over the proceedings. To be clear, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is a master of these changes, but I still think back to one of the first playoff series I ever covered and talking to an assistant coach about the changes the team could make for the next game.
"Eric, the adjustment for tomorrow is pretty simple. Our players are going to play better," he said flatly, after rolling his eyes at my endless suggestions.
The Pacers will certainly make some changes and tweak the way that they attack the Thunder on both ends in tonight's do-or-die Game 6, but they also just need their players to play better. On a team level, they can't commit 23 turnovers like they did in Game 5. On an individual level, I'll be keeping a close eye on Andrew Nembhard on the offensive end.
Over the last two postseasons, Nembhard has been the player the Pacers have leaned on when Tyrese Haliburton is struggling or hampered by an injury. They put the ball in his hands and ask him to create more looks for his teammates and find shots for himself. In Game 5, Nembhard went 3-of-8 from the field (0-of-2 from 3) for just 7 points and committed four turnovers. Carlisle will surely put him in different positions and give him better opportunities with a compromised Haliburton, but also, the Pacers just need him to play better. Kyle Terada - Pool / Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers are 11-11 without Tyrese Haliburton over the past two seasons. That might sound like all hope is not lost if he does have to miss Game 6 of the NBA Finals with his calf injury.
But that record comes with a huge caveat: They were not against the team with the NBA's best record, with the title on the line. Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers trail in a series for the first time in this year's playoffs. With their backs against the wall, they'll need maximum effort from everyone. As they attempt to force a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, players are confident in their bench's ability to rise to the occasion.
'I have confidence in the full squad, not just T.J. (McConnell), all our backup guys,' center Myles Turner said. 'Someone like Johnny Furphy can step up and play some minutes. I think everybody is prepared for the moment. Again, the moment is as big as it's going to get.'
Andrew Nembhard believes continuity is key to the effectiveness of the Pacers' second unit.
'I think we've been together the last two, three years,' Nembhard said. 'I think the continuity, togetherness is there. They all got a real belief in each other, play hard and together.'
McConnell, who's been a spark off the bench for Indiana, may see his role increase in Game 6 with star Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a calf injury. McConnell says his job is to be prepared for anything.
'I mean, it's give everything you have,' McConnell said. 'That's what all of us are going to do. We're not going to leave anything to chance or any regret. We're going to give everything we have. We have no other choice.' Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
The Pacers haven't gone to 15 coverage (full switching) on the Thunder's two stars in this series, which may be worth the risk on occasion. Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith have generally been able to stay in front of Gilgeous-Alexander and force him to pull up from midrange. He is shooting just 4-for-14 outside of floater range in the fourth quarter in the Finals. But they have been cooked several times and let him get to the rim. Having a big switch up and then give him room to force the MVP into a pull-up could be a viable option, since it at least keeps a defender on both sides of the screen. He hasn't hit that many outside shots in this series and it may be time for the Pacers to see if that will continue.
When Indiana's bigs have been at the level of screens up by the logo, the Thunder's ball handlers have been able to snake back and forth to get the Pacers' coverage going the wrong way and open up those driving lanes. Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be too quick to contain when he rejects the screen and gets the edge driving past Nembhard, while Williams has been so strong and balanced when he hits the paint.
Their arm bars are just too powerful for Indiana's guards and the push offs create just enough separation for clean looks in the floater range. A switching big at least has a little more strength and length to affect those shots when the Thunder guards inevitably get two feet into the paint. Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
Can the Pacers find ways to contain Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in crunch time, now that their season is on the line?
Indiana's bigs have been getting more aggressive with their coverages as the series goes on, going from drops to touch coverage to borderline blitzing. Myles Turner is a drop coverage specialist, just like Isaiah Hartenstein. He likes to sag off the screen by five feet or so, covering up the whole driving lane and slowing down the pace of the attack.
But Obi Toppin has been getting a lot of the crunch time minutes alongside Pascal Siakam, especially in Game 5. Their athleticism makes guarding within reaching distance of the screen more plausible, as their feet are a bit quicker than Turner right now. Also, they don't have the nuances of drop coverage down as well as Turner, which requires careful shading and strength to maintain proper distance to the ball handler while staying attached the rolling big man at the same time. Williams has shown that he can dribble out of these coverages, especially since he can reject the screen with his spin move and get downhill quickly.
By crunch time, the Pacers were essentially flat hedging, getting up over the screen like a blitz but not committing all the way to pushing the ball handler back. The idea behind that is to send the driver away from the action but still be able to retreat back into the defensive shell if he passes out of it. Usually, a hedge would have the big man jump straight up over the screen to make the ballhandler bounce back for a dribble or two, giving the guard defender time to catch up. But the Pacers bigs are staying flat to extend that delay, knowing the Thunder ballhandlers could pass easily around a traditional hedge. It was working early in the fourth quarter when Toppin and Tony Bradley tried it. But eventually SGA and Williams countered it by rejecting the screens so they could just drive around the whole coverage. Then Williams started screening for Gilgeous-Alexander, taking the bigs out of the equation altogether. Getty Images
Jefferson: Game 5 is the J-Dub game. I will never forget. What a performance!
Tyson T.: Jalen Williams and SGA are incredible, man. They can score anywhere on the court, defend anywhere on the court, and both can make plays for each other. Williams is 24… if he can just get his 3-pt shooting to around 39%, he should be an All NBA lock for years to come.
Dillon M.: The combination of Isaiah Hartenstein's interior passing and J-Dub's cutting instincts makes for such a good pairing.
M J.: As they say in the theater world, "there are no small parts, only small actors" -- definitely feels like a series where guys in "small roles" are having big impacts: Hartenstein but also- McConnell, Mathurin, Wiggins, Caruso, etc. Getty Images
Cason Wallace missed his first eight 3-point looks of the finals. Then, he was sensational in Game 5, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes off the bench, and making three of four shots from beyond the arc. When you add that with his usual defense, it was a performance that proved to be game-changing. What Wallace has done is make sure that an Oklahoma City role player has stepped into a starring role in each of the Thunder's three wins of this series. With OKC nursing a 98-93 lead, Wallace came up with the biggest steal of the game, and turned it into a dunk on the other end. The Pacers didn't challenge after that. The x-factor in Game 6 goes to the Thunder role players. It's almost a guarantee that someone will have a terrific game. Who will it be? Will it be Wallace? Or Alex Caruso? Will Lu Dort make four or five high arching threes? Will Aaron Wiggins come off the pine and go on a heater? It's one of the things that makes it so difficult to deal with when it comes to the Thunder. We simply do not know. But we do know that it will be someone.

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