The Pacers' season ends in a 120-109 NBA Finals loss to the Thunder on June 19, 2025. Despite Pascal Siakam's 27 points, OKC clinched the title.
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
The roar of Gainbridge Fieldhouse fell silent. The confetti that rained down wasn't for the home team. In a gut-wrenching end to a magical season, the Indiana Pacers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-109 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, watching the championship slip through their fingers on their own court.
He's not 100%, it's pretty clear.
For three quarters, the dream was alive. The Pacers entered the final frame with a three-point lead, the energy in the building electric. But the Thunder's championship pedigree showed up when it mattered most. Despite a thunderous two-handed slam from Pascal Siakam and a late three from Aaron Nesmith that gave fans a glimmer of hope, OKC's stifling defense and clutch shooting proved too much. The final buzzer was a brutal confirmation: the season was over.
If there was one Pacer who left everything on the floor, it was Pascal Siakam. He was a force of nature, pouring in 27 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting, adding 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He was the engine that kept Indiana in the fight. On the other side of the coin was Tyrese Haliburton. Playing through a painful calf injury, his presence was a testament to his toughness. But as Coach Rick Carlisle admitted, he wasn't himself. He battled for rebounds and set up teammates, but his usual offensive spark was missing, a painful 'what if' in a game decided by fine margins.
The writing was on the wall for many experts heading into the night. With Haliburton's status uncertain, analysts like ESPN's Chris Herring questioned if the Pacers could overcome the Thunder's 'dominant defense' without their star at full strength. They were right. The Pacers fought valiantly, but losing your offensive maestro against a team like OKC is a mountain too high for almost anyone to climb. It doesn't erase the incredible run, but it puts the loss into a painful perspective.
The sting of this loss will linger. Losing the NBA Finals at home is a bitter pill to swallow. But when the dust settles, this season will be remembered as a massive success. This team captured the hearts of Indiana, played with a joy and pace that was infectious, and went further than anyone imagined. Now, the attention turns to the front office. The offseason has officially begun, and the questions about trades, free agency, and building on this foundation will start immediately. The 2024-25 season is over, but the future for the Indiana Pacers feels brighter than ever.
