Pair of former Sixers help Pacers beat Thunder to force a Game 7
Pair of former Sixers help Pacers beat Thunder to force a Game 7
Telling my grandkids about Finals TJ McConnell pic.twitter.com/Fkc6m5bU4J — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 20, 2025
The 2024-25 season isn't over just yet. Facing elimination at home on Thursday night, the Indiana Pacers responded in a big way and knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday night back in Oklahoma.
The Pacers received a gutsy effort from All-Star Tyrese Haliburton who played on a right calf strain to deliver 14 points and five assists while Obi Toppin had 20 points off the bench to lead Indiana.
A pair of former Philadelphia 76ers made an impact as well. TJ McConnell had 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals and Tony Bradley delivered solid minutes off the bench. McConnell, especially, made a big difference for the Pacers as he was able to help force a Game 7.
The Pacers will look to finish off a miraculous playoff run if they can beat the Thunder in Game 7 on Sunday. If they can get it done, a pair of former Sixers will be able to collect their first championship rings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Thunder, Pacers set for winner-take-all game 7 in NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -7.5; over/under is 215 NBA FINALS: Series tied 3-3 BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the NBA Finals. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 108-91 in the last matchup on Friday. Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 20 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21. The Thunder are 36-6 on their home court. Oklahoma City ranks sixth in the league averaging 14.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.4% from downtown. Isaiah Joe leads the team averaging 2.6 makes while shooting 41.2% from 3-point range. The Pacers have gone 21-20 away from home. Indiana has a 22-15 record against opponents over .500. The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Thunder give up. TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Williams is shooting 48.4% and averaging 21.6 points for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.9 points over the last 10 games. Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.0 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 6-4, averaging 113.3 points, 40.8 rebounds, 20.0 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game. Pacers: 5-5, averaging 110.4 points, 40.3 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.8 points. INJURIES: Thunder: Nikola Topic: out for season (acl). Pacers: Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf), Jarace Walker: day to day (ankle). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TJ McConnell Receives Message From Ex-Celtics Star Before NBA Finals Game 7
TJ McConnell Receives Message From Ex-Celtics Star Before NBA Finals Game 7 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Thursday night, the Indiana Pacers avoided elimination in their final home game of the season and forced a Game 7 in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which will take place on Sunday. Advertisement Though the Pacers got major contributions out of numerous players, perhaps none of them stood out as much as backup point guard T.J. McConnell did. In the win, the Pittsburgh native recorded 12 points on 6-for-12 shooting, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals. He was everywhere on the court and played a big role in Indiana's win. Following his performance, a former Boston Celtics star took to social media to send a message to McConnell. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10).© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Though he made headlines following his impressive Game 6 performance, McConnell has been a solid contributor in the NBA for a decade and has built a reputation as one of the smartest and peskiest players in the league. So much so, that former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas called him "one of my favorite players in the league." Advertisement "So dope!! TJ one of my favorite players in the league for sureeeeee," Thomas wrote on X. Thomas, who spent his best years in Boston from 2015 to 2017, is likely not the only basketball personality who values McConnell as highly as he does. The 33-year-old has been crucial to Indiana's success all season, and that is no different in the NBA Finals. As the Pacers aim to pull off the series comeback and secure their first-ever NBA Championship, they will continue to rely heavily on McConnell following his fantastic showing in Game 6. Related: Former Celtics Star Announces Decision on Retirement Related: NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Thunder, Pacers set for winner-take-all game 7 in NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -7.5; over/under is 215 Advertisement NBA FINALS: Series tied 3-3 BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the NBA Finals. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 108-91 in the last matchup on Friday. Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 20 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21. The Thunder are 36-6 on their home court. Oklahoma City ranks sixth in the league averaging 14.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.4% from downtown. Isaiah Joe leads the team averaging 2.6 makes while shooting 41.2% from 3-point range. The Pacers have gone 21-20 away from home. Indiana has a 22-15 record against opponents over .500. Advertisement The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Thunder give up. TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Williams is shooting 48.4% and averaging 21.6 points for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.9 points over the last 10 games. Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.0 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 6-4, averaging 113.3 points, 40.8 rebounds, 20.0 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game. Advertisement Pacers: 5-5, averaging 110.4 points, 40.3 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.8 points. INJURIES: Thunder: Nikola Topic: out for season (acl). Pacers: Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf), Jarace Walker: day to day (ankle). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
