Pacers rally past Thunder with title in sight, force Game 7

The Indiana Pacers still have a chance to win their first NBA title. The team defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91, leaving one last game to determine this year’s champion.

Pacers fans packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse one last time this season, putting on the gold shirts set out on their seats for Thursday’s Game 6.

One of those fans was DJ Rubyana. Ahead of the game she said fans were told to show up and be loud, something she planned to do.

“This is everything,” said Rubyana. “It means everything to the state, and I’m just happy to be a part of it. I’m happy to experience this in my lifetime.”

Heading into Game 6 the Pacers were up against the wall, facing elimination. The team quickly made it clear they were going to fight for a Game 7 in the NBA finals. In the first quarter, the team took the lead and then expanded it in the second to be up 22 points at halftime.

In the second half the Pacers continued to put pressure on the Thunder, holding the lead until the final buzzer. Fans waved rally towels and shouted in celebration as the dream to win an NBA title is still alive.

The series is now tied 3-3, with four wins needed to be crowned the champion.

Pacers forward Obi Toppin said the fans’ support during the game helped the team to victory.

“We had the amazing crowd, amazing fans, best fans in the world, who helped us do it throughout this whole game,” Toppin said after the game. “And we just went out there and did what we had to do to get the win.”

Shortly after taking a decisive 17-point-win over the Thunder, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the focus is on the winner-take-all game Sunday.

“Some great things happen[ed] for us, and we, our team, made some great things happen,” Carlisle said. “Same thing with Oklahoma City, to get to this point, to get to one ultimate game.”

Despite a calf strain that made his Game 6 status uncertain, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton scored 14 points in just under 23 minutes of play. Haliburton said he’s now only focused on Game 7.

“Nothing that’s happened before matters, you know, and nothing that’s going to happen after matters,” he said. “It’s all about that one game.”

The last time the Pacers were in the NBA Finals was in 2000. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2.

Pacers fan Emilie Flynn said she was young when the team was last in the finals and believes this is the Pacers year.

“We just had to get the right team,” Flynn said. “I know these past couple years, we just had to see what we can work with. But right now, we got it in the bag.”

Both teams will now travel to Oklahoma City for one final matchup. Game 7 is Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05.