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Unlikely 25-year NBA Finals dream realised as Pacers hero seals Thunder showdown

It’s official. The Indiana Pacers are going to the NBA finals.

Tyrese Haliburton and his band of stars beat the New York Knicks 125-108 on Sunday, coming away victorious in the Eastern Conference after a 4-2 series win.

The Knicks were desperate for the momentum of their 111-94 Game 5 win to carry into Game 6, however Pascal Siakam had other ideas.

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The star forward recorded 21 points in a dominant display in front of the Pacers’ faithful, supported by a strong performance off the bench from Thomas Bryant.

Haliburton, meanwhile, pulled the strings in typical fashion, recording a staggering 13 assists to go with his 21 points.

New York’s superstar duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were unable to deliver a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Pacers’ conference victory gives the franchise a chance to win their first NBA championship, having previously won the ABA in 1969 and 1975.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Source: AP

Indiana have reached the NBA finals on one occasion, going down to the Lakers in 2000.

The Pacers now face a red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder who won the Western Conference for the first time since 2012.

MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been in fine form, while his support crew of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have also been impressive.

“I’m just so proud of this group, I don’t even have words man,” Haliburton said after the win.

“There’s a lot more work to do against a really tough team... I’m going to the NBA finals man, yeah man it feels good.”

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