đ Indiana Pacers Reach First NBA Finals Since 2000
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The Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years after a commanding 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Their 4-2 series victory capped off an improbable postseason run, transforming the once-overlooked squad into Eastern Conference champions.
This marks the Pacersâ first Finals appearance since 2000, when they also defeated the Knicks in six games.
â Haliburton & Siakam Lead the Charge
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam were at the center of Indianaâs triumph. Siakam earned the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP after dropping 31 points in Game 6. Haliburton added 21 points, 13 assists, and 6 rebounds â a reflection of his leadership throughout the series.
“This is what we got together to do. To do something special,” said Haliburton.
đ From Underdogs to Eastern Conference Champions
The Pacers entered the 2025 playoffs as the No. 4 seed, barely above .500 as of January 1. Their 34-14 closing run showed signs of promise, but few expected a trip to the Finals.
In the postseason:
- Defeated Milwaukee Bucks (4-1)
- Upset #1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers (4-1)
- Knocked out rival New York Knicks (4-2)
They pulled off three historic comebacks, each time trailing by 8+ points with under one minute remaining â a feat nearly unheard of in NBA history.
đ§ Coaching Brilliance: Rick Carlisleâs Return to the Finals
Rick Carlisle returns to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning it all with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. He now joins Larry Bird as the only coaches to take the Pacers to the championship round.
“This group has pulled off very special things. We donât take it for granted,” Carlisle said.
đ„ Pacers’ Offensive Blueprint: Speed, Depth, and Grit
Indianaâs Finals run wasnât built on superstar power â it was built on fast-paced offense, a deep bench, and unrelenting teamwork:
- 2nd in pace during playoffs
- Multiple double-digit scorers each game
- Bench production outpaced opponents consistently
âItâs a new blueprint for the league,â said veteran center Myles Turner. âStacking stars isnât the only way anymore. This is the era of team basketball.â
đ NBA Finals Showdown: Pacers vs. Thunder
Indiana now faces the Oklahoma City Thunder, Western Conference champions and heavy favorites (-750 odds). OKC, like Indiana, is built on youth, speed, and chemistry â promising a thrilling, high-tempo Finals matchup.
- Game 1 tips off Thursday night in Oklahoma City
- This marks the Pacers’ second NBA Finals appearance
- Siakam looks to win his second ring after his 2019 title with Toronto
đ Pacers’ Postseason Stats & Highlights
| Player | PPG | APG | RPG | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton | 19.7 | 9.8 | 4.3 | Game-winning 3 vs. Cleveland |
| Pascal Siakam | 22.1 | 3.4 | 6.9 | 31 pts in ECF Game 6 |
| Myles Turner | 14.2 | 1.1 | 7.2 | Defensive anchor |
| Bench Unit | +12 net rating | – | – | Key comebacks |
đ What This Means for Indiana and the NBA
This Finals trip is more than a victoryâitâs a shift in NBA culture. Teams like Indiana and OKC prove that youth, depth, and culture can beat star-stacked rosters. Itâs also a vindication for Carlisle, Haliburton, and Siakam, all of whom faced doubts entering this season.
âYou donât know when youâll get this chance again,â Siakam said. âYou have to make it count.â
â FAQs
Q: When did the Indiana Pacers last reach the NBA Finals?
A: The Pacers last reached the NBA Finals in 2000, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Q: Who won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP?
A: Pascal Siakam, for his consistent performances, including 31 points in Game 6.
Q: Who are the Pacers playing in the NBA Finals?
A: The Oklahoma City Thunder, Western Conference champions.
Q: What seed were the Pacers in the playoffs?
A: They were the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Q: How many comebacks did the Pacers make in the 2025 playoffs?
A: Three games where they trailed by 8+ points with under 1 minute left.
đ Conclusion
The Indiana Pacers’ journey to the 2025 NBA Finals is a tale of resilience, teamwork, and transformation. Theyâve rewritten the rules of playoff success, and their fast-paced, unselfish style has captured the imagination of basketball fans. As they prepare to face the Thunder, one thing is clear: the Pacers are no longer underdogsâthey’re contenders.
