Latest news with #ShaiGilgeous-Alexander
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
OKC Thunder ready to play for all the marbles: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam during the second half of Game 6. PHOTO: REUTERS OKC Thunder ready to play for all the marbles: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander INDIANAPOLIS – The Oklahoma City Thunder 'sucked' in a sloppy, lopsided NBA Finals Game 6 loss on June 19 to the Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said, but he is confident that they have what it takes to claim the title in Game 7. 'The way I see it, we sucked tonight,' Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, said after the Thunder's bid to close out the Pacers ended in a 108-91 defeat in Indianapolis. Averaging more than 30 points per game in the Finals, the star point guard scored just 21 to go along with four rebounds, two assists and eight of the Thunder's 21 turnovers. 'Some of them I think was carelessness, not being as focused, not being engaged,' the Canadian added of the Thunder's uncharacteristic turnovers. 'They played harder than us tonight as well. When a team plays harder, they turn the other team over.' Gilgeous-Alexander's eight turnovers were more than his seven baskets, but Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the defeat was on the entire team. 'First of all, credit Indiana,' he said. 'I thought they obviously earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. That's the story of the game. They went out there and attacked the game. 'From our standpoint, it was uncharacteristic. It was disappointing. It was collective. It wasn't one guy. Just we were not where we needed to be on either end of the floor for much of the game.' The Pacers rallied around injured star Tyrese Haliburton, who was cleared to play with a right calf injury only a couple of hours before tip-off. He scored 14 points with five assists and two steals in a solid contribution to a comprehensive team effort. Obi Toppin led the Pacers scoring with 20 points off the bench as Indiana's reserves out-scored Oklahoma City's bench 48-37. Andrew Nembhard added 17 points and Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who had lost the last two games to stand on the brink of elimination. 'We just wanted to protect home court,' Haliburton said. 'We didn't want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. 'Backs against the wall, we just responded... So many different guys chipped in, total team effort. I'm really proud of this group.' The Thunder, winners of a league-best 68 regular-season games, pulled their starters after falling behind by 30 going into the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander admitted the chance of clinching the franchise's first title since it relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 – they won n 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics – was 'definitely in the back of our minds'. 'Now, we didn't play like it at all,' he added. 'That's why the night went the way it did. We got exactly what we deserved, what we earned. We have to own that.' But he did not think he and his Thunder teammates – who ousted the Denver Nuggets with a lopsided Game 7 win in their Western Conference semi-final series – needed to find something new. 'I don't feel like I have to do anything other than just be the best version of myself,' he said. 'I think that goes for everyone else in the room. We just have to bring what we bring to the table, what we've brought to the table all year. 'One game for everything you ever dreamt of. If you win it, you get everything. If you lose it, you get nothing. It's that simple.' The Pacers, meanwhile, are in search of a first NBA title. They won American Basketball Association titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973 before joining the NBA as part of the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The term 'one game' was also on their minds as they look towards Game 7 on June 22. 'You know, we've got one game,' Haliburton said. 'All cards on the table. It's going to be a lot of fun.' AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Photos: Best images from Thunder's 108-91 Game 6 loss to Pacers
Photos: Best images from Thunder's 108-91 Game 6 loss to Pacers The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a 108-91 Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. That evened the 2025 NBA Finals at 3-3 apiece, with a decisive Game 7 on the docket for the championship. The final score was prettied up in garbage time. The Thunder trailed by as many as 31 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only had 21 points. Jalen Williams was limited to 16 points. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 14 points and five assists. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Obi Toppin scored 20 points off the bench and TJ McConnell had 12 points and nine rebounds. Let's look at some of the best photos from the Thunder's 17-point Game 6 loss to the Pacers:
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Thunder coach made no excuses for young team's dreadful Game 6 effort
Thunder coach made no excuses for young team's dreadful Game 6 effort The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of completing one of the best seasons the NBA has ever seen with the first championship in franchise history. But despite their tremendous accomplishments to this point of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder still show us their youth and glaring inexperience now and then. That much was clear in a blowout 108-91 Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers that honestly wasn't even as close as the final score appears. After a competitive first quarter, the wheels came all the way off for the Thunder. They wound up with 21 turnovers as a team while finishing with just 14 assists (they only had four assists over 30 minutes into the game!). Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had just 21 points and contributed eight of those turnovers on his own. His running mate, Jalen Williams, got viciously dunked on by Pascal Siakam during the key sequence of the night and was kind of a non-factor otherwise. Meanwhile, T.J. McConnell was creating havoc all over the place. SIAKAM WAS FEELING IT: Fans thought the Pacers forward looked "possessed" before Game 6 Essentially, every mistake the Thunder made in the halfcourt was immediately punished by a Pacers squad that was ready to pounce. I mean, when guys like Ben Sheppard are making buzzer-beating 3-pointers off of crazy bounces, you know it's not your night: In other words, whatever possibly could go wrong for the Thunder inevitably and eventually did. They looked every part of a team that knew it could win the NBA title by winning Thursday night and, at a certain point, was rattled by that reality. The Thunder are not the first team to experience those types of jitters with the Larry O'Brien Trophy hanging in the balance, and they definitely won't be the last. That's just how championship-caliber basketball works sometimes. In his postgame press conference, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked about his team's inexperience with an NBA Finals closeout game being put on full display. Rather appropriately, Daigneault refused to make any such excuses for his players while giving full credit to the Pacers for sending this epic series to Game 7: Of course, these Thunder have proven to be one of the more precocious NBA teams we've ever seen. Every setback or failure they've experienced to this point has seemingly been a worthwhile learning experience. They usually don't make the same mistake twice, which is a credit to their resilience and overall team discipline. It's arguably the biggest reason they've gotten this far. Sunday night's Game 7, with the NBA championship now on the line for both squads, will be the toughest test Daigneault's Thunder have ever faced. Full stop. The good news? They have a chance at redemption after getting the "bad closeout Finals game" out of their system.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Where is Game 7 of OKC vs Pacers NBA Finals and who is poised to win it? Here are latest odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers NBA Finals got into Game 7 after Tyrese Haliburton and co completely washed their opponents in a must-win game on Thursday. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and OKC were left stunned after a 108-91 defeat. Now, the NBA Finals will reach the Paycom Center on Sunday night with the series tied at 3-3. Winner takes the prize. The Thunder are favored to win the NBA Finals, with a clear home advantage. However, Indiana beat several predictions to win Game 6, keeping Game 7 interesting. For Game 6, odds via FanDuel Sportsbook: Spread - Oklahoma City (-6.5), Over/Under - 221.5, Money Line - Oklahoma City (-250; bet $250 to win $100); Indiana (+205; bet $100 to win $205). Read More: 'I wish…': Caitlin Clark's honest admission about the NBA Finals Game 6 Post-Game 5 odds from BetMGM listed the Thunder as -1200 favorites to win the series, with the Pacers at +750. For Game 7, OKC's home odds are estimated at -455 to -549, based on earlier home games (Games 2 and 5). The run lasted about 12 minutes, roughly the span of a full quarter. When it started, Oklahoma City was down by just one point. And when it ended, plans for Game 7 were being made. It was 34-33 Indiana with about four minutes gone in the second quarter. And about four minutes into the third quarter, it was 70-42 Indiana — the game having completely gotten away from the Thunder. The run was 36-9 — repeat, 36-9 — and just like that, a team that won 68 games in the regular season and finished with the best record in the NBA has been pushed to the brink by an Indiana team that finished 18 games back of the Thunder in the league standings. Read More: 'Phantom fouls': Officials continue to be a bone of contention for fans in NBA Finals Game 6 They're even now: The series is 3-3, and it all comes down to Sunday. During that 36-9 run, the Thunder were offensively inept: They shot 3 for 18 during those minutes, with seven turnovers in there to make matters even worse. (With inputs from the Associated Press)
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 6 live updates: Pacers vs Thunder score, analysis, TV channel
NBA Finals Game 6 live updates: Pacers vs Thunder score, analysis, TV channel The NBA Finals continue with Game 6 between the Thunder and Pacers. OKC is looking for a championship as Indiana hopes to stay alive. Show Caption Hide Caption Rick Carlisle discusses preparations for Game 6 of the NBA Finals The Pacers head into Game 6 of the NBA Finals trailing 3-2 in the series. The Oklahoma City Thunder are one game away from winning the franchise's second NBA championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have a chance to secure that title against the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The first title was won in 1979 while they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics. The franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. OKC has won the past two games in the series to take the 3-2 lead after initially losing two of the first three games, including the opening in Oklahoma. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton had four points, seven rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes of play in the 120-109 Game 5 loss on Monday. He finished 0-for-6 from the field and scored all four of his points from the free throw line. Haliburton confirmed on Wednesday he's dealing with a calf strain and told reporters he hoped to play in Game 6. He was cleared to play and is in the lineup for this closeout game. It all adds up to a crucial Game 6. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. The Pacers are up by 30 points entering the final quarter. These are the biggest blowouts in NBA Finals history: 42 points – Bulls 96, Jazz 54 in Game 3 of 1998 NBA Finals 39 points – Celtics 131, Lakers 92 in Game 6 of 2008 NBA Finals 38 points – Mavericks 122, Celtics 84 in Game 4 of 2024 NBA Finals 36 points – Spurs 113, Heat 77 in Game 3 of 2013 NBA Finals 35 points – Bullets 117, SuperSonics 82 in Game 6 of 1978 NBA Finals The Pacers are up 90-60 as the fourth quarter begins. The Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit for a 97-91 win against the Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals. According to ESPN, that is the biggest single-game comeback in Finals history. The Pacers lead the Thunder 66-42, a 24-point lead, with 8:06 left to go in the third quarter. The Pacers have never won an NBA Finals in team history. This is only the second time since they joined the NBA in 1976 that the Pacers have even made the Finals. If the Pacers hold on to win Game 6, the series-deciding Game 7 will take place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, home to the Thunder. The game will be played Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. In the face of potential elimination, the Indiana Pacers are rolling. After outscoring the Oklahoma City Thunder 36-17 in the second quarter, the Pacers rode their defense and perimeter shooting to head into the locker room at halftime with a 64-42 lead. The Pacers have unleashed swarming and physical defense, forcing the Thunder into contested shots and 12 turnovers. That has been the difference thus far, with both teams shooting comparably – the Pacers are actually shooting a lower percentage (44.2%) than the Thunder (44.7%). But Oklahoma City's 12 turnovers, compared to Indiana's two have led to the Pacers shooting 14 more attempts. Unsurprisingly, the Pacers are outscoring the Thunder in points off turnovers by a margin of 16-2. As he has all series long, backup point guard T.J. McConnell provided a massive spark off the bench, scoring eight points, dishing three assists and collecting five rebounds. But the Pacers have six players with at least eight points, with Pascal Siakam leading the way with 13. Similar to Game 4, when the Thunder went just 3-of-16 (18.8%) from 3, Oklahoma City struggled significantly from beyond the arc, hitting just a single 3-pointer on 11 attempts (9.1%). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have combined for 31 points. The rest of the Thunder have 11. Rick Carlisle is the Pacers' head coach. His lead assistant is Lloyd Pierce. Jim Boylen, Jenny Boucek and Mike Weinar are Indiana's assistant coaches. Pacers veteran point guard T.J. McConnell is 6-1. With 4:16 remaining in the first half, the Indiana Pacers have opened up a 48-35 lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Indiana Pacers mascot is a panther named "Boomer." He was voted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana in 2019. The Indiana Pacers lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 28-25 at the end of the first quarter. The Pacers started like a team that was tight, but they finished the first quarter like one that was fighting for its season. The Thunder, however, responded late. The Pacers missed their first eight shot attempts before ripping off a 19-3 run to take control early in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, opening up a three-point lead. Indiana relied on 3-point shooting – the Pacers hit five shots from deep – and its defense – the Pacers forced OKC into five turnovers – to spark the run. The Pacers were aggressive, attacking Oklahoma City in the paint to get high-percentage shots or open looks via kickouts. The Pacers also got to the line, converting 7-of-10 free throw attempts; the Thunder, by comparison, shot only four free throws, making a pair. Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and backup forward Obi Toppin lead Indiana with eight points apiece. Tyrese Haliburton, nursing a right calf strain, shot just 1-of-5 in the period, but has four points. Indiana frustrated NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, swarming him to try to contest his shots. He made just one of his first five shots, but finished the quarter with seven points. The Thunder struggled from deep, shooting just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Wondering how to watch Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Maybe the Pacers just needed to warm up a little. After the Pacers missed their first eight shots and fell into a six-point hole early, they hit six consecutive and 7-of-8 to go on an 19-3 run. The 3-point shot has been the catalyst. Indiana is shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc, with Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin each hitting a pair. Tyrese Haliburton also hit his first field goal attempt, a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a 24-17 lead, leading to an OKC timeout with 4:15 to go in the first quarter. ESPN/ABC broadcaster Lisa Salters was present for Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Indiana. Salters missed Game 2 in Oklahoma City on June 8, citing that she was with her mother, who is dealing with a health issue. Salters' partner, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, was not on the sideline for her team's 79-52 victory against the Chicago Sky at the United Center on June 7. The Fever had announced Thursday that White was not going to be on the sideline for the game against the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco on Thursday due to a personal matter. The news led to speculation about Salter's availability for Game 6 tonight. Both offenses have started slowly, though Indiana's has particularly so. The Pacers have missed their first six shot attempts, while the Thunder are 4-of-7 (57.1%) in the early going, to take an 8-2 lead through three minutes. Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who started despite a right calf strain, did not appear to be hindered by the injury, at least initially. Haliburton moved around the floor and did not appear to favor the leg, though he missed his first three shot attempts. The good news for Indiana? The Pacers haven't committed a single turnover yet, after they committed 23 in Game 5. Thunder forward Jalen Williams, fresh off of his 40-point masterpiece in Game 5, is 2-for-4 with four points. Just because the Thunder are one win away from their first NBA championship since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, doesn't mean that the team is looking to change – not now. When asked if his team would alter its approach, given the magnitude of the game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preached consistency. "The same habits that we've bet on over time are what's relevant in these situations," Daigneault said during his pregame news conference. "There's no new material. Same fundamentals on offense and defense are going to matter tonight in the game. Same preparation over the last couple days. Same psychological habits such as that are going to be relevant. "That's why we emphasize them so continuously, so when we're in these high-stakes situations, we're in a mode of familiarity, which I think gives us confidence." What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Where is Game 6 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for a potential closeout Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to win the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Thursday, June 19): Spread : Thunder (-5.5) : Thunder (-5.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-225); Pacers (+185) : Thunder (-225); Pacers (+185) Over/under: 222.5 The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 6 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Thursday, June 19) Series winner: Thunder (-3000); Pacers (+1250) USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six James Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five USA TODAY: Most pick Thunder in Game 6 Scooby Axson: Thunder 111, Pacers 102 Thunder 111, Pacers 102 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 113, Pacers 103 : Thunder 113, Pacers 103 James Williams : Pacers 111, Thunder 106 : Pacers 111, Thunder 106 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 116, Pacers 103 According to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, Tyrese Haliburton (calf strain) will play tonight vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'Tyrese will play," Carlisle said in a pregame press conference. "He was tested at 5 p.m. He was strength tested at 5 p.m. and did very well. Went through walkthrough. There's no set minutes limit. We will watch and monitor things very closely from the beginning of the game through the entirety of the game. We'll go from there.' USA TODAY Sports staff has more on Tyrese Haliburton's injury. Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen Williams Chet Holmgren Isaiah Hartenstein Lu Dort Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Indiana Pacers Aaron Nesmith Pascal Siakam Myles Turner Andrew Nembhard Tyrese Haliburton The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC. Game 3 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. All times Eastern; *-if necessary Odds via BetMGM on Saturday, June 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-650) Jalen Williams (+650) Pascal Siakam (+1500) Tyrese Haliburton (+9000) 6 players tied (+50000) The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort Alex Caruso Isaiah Joe Cason Wallace Jaylin Williams Aaron Wiggins Kenrich Williams Isaiah Hartenstein Ousmane Diang Nikola Topic Ajay Mitchell Dillon Jones Tyrese Haliburton Pascal Siakam Myles Turner Benedict Mathurin Obi Toppin Andrew Nebhard Aaron Nesmith T.J. McConnell Isaiah Jackson Jarace Walker Ben Sheppard Johnny Furphy James Johnson Thomas Bryant Game 6 assignments: Crew Chief : Zach Zarba (12th Finals; officiated Game 2) : Zach Zarba (12th Finals; officiated Game 2) Referee : Tony Brothers (14th Finals; officiated Game 3) : Tony Brothers (14th Finals; officiated Game 3) Umpire : David Guthrie (Eighth Finals; officiated Game 1) : David Guthrie (Eighth Finals; officiated Game 1) Alternate: Tyler Ford Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals. Tony Brothers (14th Finals) David Guthrie (8th Finals) James Capers (13th Finals) Ben Taylor (1st Finals) Marc Davis (14th Finals) Josh Tiven (6th Finals) Tyler Ford (1st Finals) James Williams (5th Finals) Scott Foster (18th Finals) Sean Wright (2nd Finals) John Goble (9th Finals) Zach Zarba (12th Finals) The NBA Finals TV ratings discussion is a classic struggle between the optimist and the pessimist. One headline: "NBA Finals have been most-watched programs since first week of May.' Another headline: 'NBA Finals ratings down 24%.' Two things can be true in this season's Finals between 'small-market' Indiana and Oklahoma City. Yes, ratings are down from last season's Finals between Boston and Dallas, and yes, the Thunder-Pacers Finals have brought in millions of viewers, including a peak of 11.54 million at 11 p.m. ET of Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11. Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the TV ratings for the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. Eastern Conference finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2 Western Conference finals No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1 NBA Finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Thunder lead series 3-2) Winners over the last 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit 2023-24 — Boston Celtics 2022-23 — Denver Nuggets 2021-22 — Golden State Warriors 2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 2012-13 — Miami Heat 2011-12 — Miami Heat 2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 2007-08 — Boston Celtics 2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 2005-06 — Miami Heat 2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs
