As the NBA season looks forward to the final game of the 2024-25 season, there will be a lot of anticipation leading up to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Indiana Pacers were able to keep their championship hopes alive after a complete blowout in their final home game of the season, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 with a final score of 108-91.
Jalen Williams
Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) in the first quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Defense was the key factor to the Pacers' dominant victory, as Indiana made Oklahoma City turn the ball over 21 times compared to their 11. This helped the Pacers take 92 shots, while the Thunder attempted just 74.
One key headline leading up to the game was the health status of the Pacers' point guard, Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton has been dealing with a calf strain, and it left him labeled as questionable heading into the series-determining game.
He was able to play in the game, and his calf was able to hold up as he finished with 14 points, five assists, and two steals in a limited 23 minutes.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was left unimpressed, however, and he was able to give an update on Haliburton's "superstar" status on Friday morning.
"He's a damn good player. He sort of stirs the cups for Indiana's offense. We will give him his props where it's due, what we're not going to do is call him a superstar. We're not going to do that," Stephen A. Smith said on First Take.
Stephen A. was also able to give Haliburton credit in the impressive amount of clutch shots he's made for the Pacers in their playoff run this season.
Haliburton has hit four different game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final five seconds of games in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
His buzzer-beating game-winner in Game 1 has given the Pacers momentum in The Final's series against the Thunder, leading to their push to Game 7 to determine who will win the NBA championship this season.
The real question will be if Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers will be able to continue their prominent run this playoffs and travel back to Oklahoma City to knock of the Thunder and capture the franchise's first NBA championship.