As the Thunder & head into a decisive Game 7 on Sunday (8 ET, ABC), multiple paths await two teams pursuing a 1st NBA title.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Suddenly, nothing matters and everything matters.
That’s the best way to define a Game 7, especially in the NBA Finals and certainly this latest one-off, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, who’ve given this series all it wanted and then some.
Nothing matters, as in OKC’s 68 regular-season wins, top-rated defense, record point differential, overall dominance of the league — 40-1 vs. the East — and oh yes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Kia MVP award.
Nothing matters, as in all those cinematic Pacers-Hoosiers comparisons, the Pacers’ best record in the East since New Year’s Day, the depth, coach Rick Carlisle’s cooked-up strategies and Tyrese Haliburton’s heroics.
None of those qualifications stand a chance when suddenly, everything matters. As in, what you do, or don’t, for your team and your legacy Sunday only. Because that’s all that matters.
There’s an obvious pressurized urgency in such situations, and the winner will repel it rather than absorb it and become rattled by it. Suddenly, the players and coaches will be seen for who they really are, because there’s no escaping Game 7 stage.
The game will reveal who wants the ball, and who will run in the corner and hide from it.
The game will ask the coaches to push the right buttons, and then we will know whom they really trust and how well they really know their personnel.
The game will create a moment of truth, when the outcome will flip in one direction or the other, and hopefully that moment will wait until the last minute.
And the game will bring a fluke play or possession that results in a bit of luck or good fortune for a team or player, because sometimes that’s the way the ball bounces. Not every result comes down completely to talent and skill.
“Every team would take this opportunity to have this chance,” said OKC’s Chet Holmgren. “We’re no different. It’s on us to go out there and make the most of it.”
Well, one aspect of the past could have an impact Sunday: OKC earned the right to host a Game 7. If nothing else, the Thunder will be both playing at Paycom Center and filling all the eardrums inside it, too.
“It’s a privilege to play in Game 7s,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “It’s a privilege to play in the Finals.”
As the Pacers and Thunder look forward to Game 7 (8 ET, ABC), it’s the right time to examine how they arrived here in the first place:
Shai continued to shine
In Game 6, the Pacers turn the dial up on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, leading to a series-low 21 points & a series-high 8 turnovers.
His eight-turnover performance in Game 6 was more striking than any other of his efforts in this series if only because it was so unlike him. The true indicator of greatness is when otherwise solid games are expected of such player, or taken for granted.
That said, Shai scored 30 or more points in four of the six games, made good passes and an equal amount of plays for himself and others. He’ll need another MVP-like showing on Sunday, though.
Depth determines decisions
Rotations are typically short this time of year, but this series is an exception because the benches have meant so much. And the coaches have tapped into the reserves, who in turn have helped their teams.
Alex Caruso didn’t score 20 points all season but has a pair of them in this series. Obi Toppin has a 20-point game and a pair of 17s. Bennedict Mathurin had the game of his life — 27 points in just 22 Game 3 minutes. T.J. McConnell disrupted the series and the Thunder when, out of nowhere, he began stealing inbounds passes and dropping mid-range jumpers.
Each game seems to bring a different energy source from someone. What’s remarkable is how these players don’t seem frozen by the situation. When given the time and responsibility, most have responded.
“That’s the thing about the NBA and the playoffs you is never know when your number is going to be called,” said Haliburton. “We have so many guys that are prepared for that moment.”
OKC comebacks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes over down the stretch of Game 4 in the 2025 NBA Finals, swiping momentum away from the Pacers.
The Thunder’s response in Game 4 was especially crucial. They were down 2-1 in the series and trailing halfway through the fourth quarter of that game before Shai took over and the Pacers were undone by missed shots and mistakes.
The Pacers even had a chance in their Game 5 loss, even with Haliburton lame, when McConnell game them life in the third quarter. OKC had all the answers, and those rallies showed the growth of a young team in tense situations.
Indy’s Game 6
Yes, without that response, the season would be over. It’s the only reason for a Game 7. The manner in which the Pacers rose to the occasion, given the questionable status of Haliburton and his strained calf, was championship-like.
The Pacers stared elimination in the face and it motivated them.
“I just always remember the times where I had to go on vacation early,” said Pascal Siakam. “Those things always play in my mind. So be appreciative of the fact that we’re still here, and we have a great opportunity.”
There have been seven Game 7s over the last 45 years, and this will be the first since 2016. A few were dramatic, others less so, all of them were tense at tipoff, given the stakes. Here’s what OKC vs. Indy is up against:
Celtics over Lakers, 1984
The old Boston Garden, devoid of air conditioning — or so Red Auerbach claimed — was steamy then, making the West Coast visitors uncomfortable. The Celtics did their part, too, although they nearly blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead. Cedric Maxwell went for 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Larry Bird claimed MVP.
Lakers over Pistons, 1988
Isiah Thomas was still smarting from a sprained ankle, and yet the Lakers almost crumbled in the fourth quarter after assuming a 15-point lead. They were 0-5 in Game 7s in their Finals history and, with the game in L.A., the pressure was real. Big Game James Worthy went for 36-16-10. This was before tightened security, and when the last seconds ticked, fans began storming the court.
Rockets over Knicks, 1994
Basketball casuals will swear that LeBron James’ chase-down block in 2016 was the greatest defensive play ever in the Finals. Not so. Hakeem Olajuwon’s deflection of John Starks’ potential game-winner came in the final seconds of a Game 6, tying a series that hung in the balance. Starks shot 2-for-18 in the decisive followup, as The Dream cleanly won the battle of the big men against Knicks legend Patrick Ewing.
Spurs over Pistons, 2005
This was a low-wattage Game 7, ending with the Spurs winning 81-74 to deny the Pistons back-to-back titles. And Larry Brown was denied by his former assistant coach, Gregg Popovich. Tim Duncan won his third Finals MVP.
Lakers over Celtics, 2010
These two teams again. Kobe Bryant was chilly in this game, shooting just 6-for-24, though he did have 10 points in a tight fourth quarter. He was bailed out by Ron Artest, who sank a 3-pointer in with a minute to play. This was Phil Jackson’s first Game 7 in the Finals.
Heat over Spurs, 2013
Also known as the game made possible by Ray Allen’s epic 3-pointer that sent Game 6 into OT (Miami won the extra period). LeBron James went for 37 points, tying Tommy Heinsohn for most Game 7 points. Shane Battier dropped six 3-pointers.
Cavs over Warriors, 2016
Cleveland rallied from down 3-1 in the series. LeBron’s chase-down swat helped set up Kyrie Irving’s go-ahead jumper in the final minute. Cleveland, this was for you.
And now, the latest.
In addition to the stars playing at their high level and everyone else filling the gaps, it will be the usual aspects of basketball that will decide the outcome.
“So much of these games has come down to who is going to start the fight from a physicality standpoint, take care of the ball better and rebound the ball better and those are the important things that we need to focus on,” said Haliburton.
Isiah Thomas, Steve Smith & Brendan Haywood look ahead to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ABC).
For a number of players, this will represent the only chance they’ll ever get to winning a ring. Once in a lifetime.
“It’s only the biggest game of our careers,” said McConnell.
So come Sunday, the comeback fourth quarters, help off the bench, stellar regular seasons and game-winning shots that created Pacers vs. Thunder Game 7 are meaningless.
“All that stuff’s over with,” said Carlisle. “Some great things happened for us, and our team made some great things happen. Same thing with Oklahoma City to get to this point.
“It’s one game now. It’s the ultimate game.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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