The Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 after sealing a commanding 125–108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Pascal Siakam delivered another standout performance, dropping 31 points and recording three blocked shots to earn Eastern Conference Finals MVP honours. The nine-year NBA veteran scored over 30 points in three of Indiana’s four wins, helping the Pacers clinch the series 4–2.
Indiana now prepares to face the Oklahoma City Thunder — champions of the Western Conference — in the NBA Finals, with Game 1 set for Thursday.
“After a bad Game 5, we wanted to bounce back and I have 100% belief in my team-mates,” said Siakam. “Whenever we’re down, we find a way, and we did that tonight.”
Reflecting on his journey since winning a title with Toronto in 2019, Siakam added: “That year was my third year, I was this young kid. I thought it was going to be easy [to get back]. I appreciate it even more now because I know how hard it is to get here.”
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised the 30-year-old forward: “So deserving. The guy has been a rock of consistency all year.”
Tyrese Haliburton was equally vital to the Pacers’ success, contributing 21 points, 13 assists and three steals. Obi Toppin also impressed off the bench with 18 points.
“It’s a special feeling to do it with this group,” said Haliburton. “We got to the same spot last year and we fell short. We worked our tails off to get back here.”
The game was closely contested early, with Indiana edging the first quarter 25–24. They built a slim four-point lead by halftime before exploding in the third quarter with a 9–0 run that broke the Knicks’ resistance.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22, but 18 team turnovers proved costly as New York failed to recover.
The Pacers now look to cap off a remarkable postseason run with their first-ever NBA championship, as they prepare to meet a youthful but formidable Oklahoma City squad in what promises to be a high-energy Finals matchup.