As Game 6 presented a do-or-die scenario for the Indiana Pacers, Rick Carlisle’s squad knew they had to come out blazing. While the first quarter was evenly matched, Indiana completely took over in the second period, and the Oklahoma City Thunder just didn’t have an answer.
The Pacers’ run in the second extended their lead to 22 points, the largest they’ve seen in a series dominated by Thunder for the most part. And while a 20-point lead barely secures victory in today’s NBA, it is the high energy basketball plays that hold the potential to break your opponent’s back.
Pascal Siakam Spells the Pacers’ Determination With Monstrous Jam Over Jalen Williams
As a dominant 2nd quarter was coming to a close, energy inside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse was off the charts. So when Pascal Siakam put Jalen Williams on the poster to end the half, the arena exploded.
The high octane play saw Williams dribble the ball up the floor as OKC were still recovering from the Pacers’ scoring barrage. Pacers, who are aware they need to capitalize on their opportunities against the Thunder kept the intense defense going as Tyrese Haliburton intercepted a pass from Williams.
this was disgusting.
nasty.
filthy.
— shakeia (@curlyfro) June 20, 2025
Williams, who is known to be a gritty player, sprinted back down the floor. And when Haliburton threw it across the court to the Eastern Conference Finals MVP Siakam, Williams turned around and attempted to deny the shot. However, that didn’t go to plan against Spicy P as Williams almost fell to the ground after getting dunked on by the Cameroonian forward.
Siakam was huge in Game 5 in Oklahoma as he scored 28 points while Haliburton’s calf injury limited his involvement and availability and that seems to be the form he has carried over to Game 6.
While the belief around a Game 7 will be strong in Indiana right now, the Pacers must see the game out effectively. Something they slacked off on in the fourth quarter of Game 4, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the 4th. That point became a pivotal moment in the series as OKC have appeared as the favorite since.
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Siakam ended the half with 13 points and will be looking to build on that as the Pacers’ push for Game 7 continues in the 2nd half.
Meanwhile, Indiana must have been fueled by the presence of Tyrese Haliburton on the floor. He has been showing all the grit of playing through a right calf strain from an injury he suffered Monday, June 16, during Indiana’s 120-109 loss in Game 5.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, such an injury takes at least two weeks to recover. But Haliburton had insisted that he would do whatever it takes to make it to the NBA finals. Looks like his squad entered the game with the mindset of not letting his battle go in vain.
