One last stretch in a Finals for the ages.

Game 6 tips Thursday at 8:30 ET on ABC.

Will we see a champion crowned or the series extended?

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

June 18, 2025

Everything On The Line: Will OKC take home the title, or will Indy force a Game 7?

Signature Thunderbolt: Inside the eye of the storm that swung Game 5

Backs Against The Wall: Back in their own building, the Pacers are far from finished

Game 5 Frames: Eight snapshots capturing an electric night in OKC

Unforgettable: Right corner. Right time. Ray Allen ties the Finals – 12 years ago today

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Gearing up for Game 6…

On The Ground In Indy: Ahead of Thursday’s Game 6, both teams will hit the practice court and meet with the media today, with live coverage on the NBA App beginning at 12:30 ET.

1. GAME 6 COUNTDOWN: HOW WE GOT HERE & WHAT’S AT STAKE

On Oct. 29, 2008, the Thunder played their first regular-season NBA game – a loss to the Bucks in front of a sellout Oklahoma City crowd.

It took over two years from that opener for the Thunder to notch their 84th win in the OKC era — a victory on Nov. 26, 2010, against the Indiana Pacers.

Now, OKC enters Thursday’s Game 6 (8:30 ET, ABC) looking to become just the fourth team ever to win 84 games in a single season — needing one more victory over the Pacers to claim the city’s first NBA title.

Chasing History: With an average age of 25.6, OKC is looking to become the second-youngest team to win an NBA title – led by their two young stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

• Full Circle: In Monday’s Game 5 win, SGA (31 pts) and Williams (40) became the first duo aged 26 or younger to combine for 70+ in a Finals game since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook did so for OKC in 2012
• 25 Club: Williams, 24, has now scored 25+ points in three straight Finals games – a streak only four other players have matched in the last 40 years before turning 25: Kyrie (2016), KD (2012), D-Wade (2006) and Shaq (1995)
• Shai Shining: Meanwhile, it was SGA’s 15th 30-piece this postseason – a mark only met by MJ (16, 1992), Hakeem (16, 1995) and Kobe (15, 2009)

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Superstars Dueling: This year’s Kia MVP, Shai is posting unprecedented all-around numbers this series (32.4 pts, 4.6 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.4 stl, 1.8 blk) – a stat line unmatched by any player in the Finals since steals were first tracked in 1973-74.

On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton’s followed a historic playoff run with more clutch performances in the Finals, while the Pacers have gotten boosts up and down the roster.

• Tyrese Time: After hitting the game-winner with 0.3 seconds left to steal Game 1 in OKC, Haliburton dropped a near triple-double (22 pts, 11 ast, 9 reb) to take Game 3 at home
• Indy Heart: Despite suffering a calf injury in Game 5, Haliburton gutted it out, while Pascal Siakam (28 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and T.J. McConnell (18 pts, 13 in 3rd Q) stepped up, nearly rallying Indy from 18 points down

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

That fight has fueled Indy all season. No matter the situation or how deep the hole, the Pacers always seem to claw back – with a play-by-play record five 15+ point comebacks this postseason.

Now, they trail in a series for the first time all Playoffs. But they’re never out — especially inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

• Anyone’s Game: Teams down 3-2 in the Finals are 19-30 all-time in Game 6 — but when playing at home, they’re 15-15, with eight going on to win the series
• Pacer Passion: Backed by a die-hard Indiana crowd that breathes basketball, the Pacers are 7-3 at home this postseason, while OKC is 5-4 on the road
• “I think the fight is always going to be there from this group,” said Haliburton on Game 6. “There’s not a better opportunity than to fight on your home floor.”

2. OKC’S GAME 5 CLOSING STATEMENT: INSIDE A 3-MINUTE STORM

No team rallies like the Indiana Pacers. Not this postseason. Not this regular season. Not even this century.

• Comeback Kings: The Pacers have won 13 games in 2024-25 (reg+post) when coming back from 15 points down – the most in a single season since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98
• Flashbacks: Comeback No. 13 came in Game 1 of the Finals, when Indy erased a 15-point 4th-quarter deficit to shock OKC on its home floor

And in Game 5, another stunner seemed to be brewing.

Once up by 18, the Thunder suddenly found themselves clinging to a two-point lead with 8:30 left – the building tense, the momentum shifting and the Pacers charging.

But in a pivotal 4th quarter, in the biggest game of its season, OKC answered with an 18-4 knockout run – a near flawless stretch of basketball and a snapshot of why it’s one win away from an NBA title.

After Jalen Williams buried a 3, Cason Wallace’s steal-and-slam pushed the lead from two to seven in just 19 seconds.

Clamping Down: The Thunder have tallied 229 steals this postseason – the most in a single Playoff run since steals were first tracked in 1973-74. And when it mattered most, those historic hands came alive.

• Wreaking Havoc: After Pascal Siakam hit a 3 to cut the lead to two, five of Indy’s next seven possessions resulted in turnovers – all of which were steals
• Cashing In: All five of those steals turned into points for OKC, as it poured in 10 points off turnovers amid the run – adding to its Playoff total of 469, the most in the play-by-play era

One of SGA’s two steals amid the run, resulting in five points the other way, including this and-1.

All-Out All The Time: Those five steals came from four different defenders – SGA, Wallace, Williams and Alex Caruso – capturing OKC’s depth and collective commitment, with seven players ranked in the top 10 in DefRtg this postseason (min. 10 gp, 20 mpg).

Caruso finished the 4th quarter with a game-high +6 plus-minus – and you can see why.

Offensively, OKC’s star duo stepped up – just as they have all postseason – feeding off each other for bucket after bucket as they carved up Indy’s defense.

• JDub Delivers: In attack mode all Finals – with 83.1% of his points coming off drives – Williams imposed his will amid the run, scoring eight of OKC’s 18 points
• MVP Clutch Gene: Averaging a series-high 8.8 ppg in the 4th quarter, Shai did a bit of everything amid the burst – adding five points and two dimes to his two steals

T This SGA to JDub bucket coincided with a 10-0 stretch amid the run. OKC now has 19 10-0 runs this postseason – eight more than the next closest team.

Thunderbolt: In 3:25 minutes of gametime, the Thunder turned a two-point edge into a 16-point cushion, outscoring the Pacers 18-4 while shooting 100%, holding them to 0 field goals and forcing five turnovers.

It was a burst that captured exactly who OKC is – a relentless defense paired with an explosive offense that can strike in an instant and stun opponents.

But the Thunder know those bursts alone won’t win them a title – not against a Pacers team that never stops swinging.

• “We got to try to stay there for as long as we can,” said SGA on OKC’s runs. “In that momentum on both ends of the floor for longer periods of time if we want to hoist this thing.”

3. BACKS AGAINST THE WALL, THE PACERS ARE READY TO RESPOND

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Pacers have faced deficits that hundreds of teams before them couldn’t overcome.

Even with the odds stacked heavily against it, the group has often found fight within itself, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Game 6 poses the ultimate trial of such resiliency.

Indiana owns five 15+ point comebacks this postseason, including three of 7+ points in the final minute. The next contest, though, is the first time everything is on the line.

“If you lose, the season’s over,” said Tyrese Haliburton. “So our backs are against the wall… we’re going to have to be able to respond (and) be better – look forward to the challenge.”

• Fieldhouse Flourishes: Indy is 7-3 at home this postseason, with a true shooting percentage of 60.2% and assist percentage of 64.9% – both second-best in the NBA

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

With Haliburton’s status uncertain, the Pacers may face yet another challenge. But a team approach paved the road here, after all — a trend that’s continued at the game’s highest stage.

• Daunting Depth: Eight Pacers have tallied 175+ points since the Playoffs began, marking the most ever by an NBA squad in one run
• Any Given Night: In Game 3, Bennedict Mathurin produced 27 points off the bench. Then it was Obi Toppin with 17 in Game 4, and T.J. McConnell racking up 18 in Game 5

Pascal Siakam has been an ever-valuable constant – regularly spearheading the Pacers’ effort on both ends. And the 2019 NBA champion understands these stakes.

• The Past: Across three elimination games last season, the 9th-year forward averaged 21.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 4.0 apg, including a 3-2 comeback against New York in the East Semis
• The Present: He was an all-around force Monday. With 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, he dropped 20+/6+/4+ for a third consecutive game

“It’s pretty clear now that we’re going into the sixth game,” said coach Rick Carlisle. “All the attention and the crowd noise in both arenas – everything. This is a lifetime opportunity.”

4. GAME 5 FRAMES: CAPTURING A CRUCIAL WIN IN OKC

18,203 strong. One win away.

In front of an electric OKC crowd, the Thunder struck last to take a pivotal Game 5 – moving one win shy of an NBA title.

Before the Finals returns to Indy, let’s relive Monday night’s showdown through eight standout snapshots.

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

5. UNFORGETTABLE: RIGHT CORNER, RIGHT TIME, RAY ALLEN

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It’s one of those plays you can still hear:

“James catches, puts up a 3 – won’t go. Rebound Bosh. Back out to Allen. His 3-pointer – BANG! Tie game with 5 seconds remaining!”

Down 3-2 in the 2013 NBA Finals, trailing by three with under 20 seconds left in Game 6, the Heat’s season — and quest for back-to-back titles — teetered on the brink.

With time ticking down, Miami needed a miracle as LeBron James’ shot bounced off the rim.

Then, a scramble. A second chance. And a shot that changed everything.

After Chris Bosh wrestled the offensive rebound away from two Spurs, he found Ray Allen backpedaling to the right corner. Without looking down, Allen caught the pass and let it fly — drilling the game-tying 3 with 5.2 seconds left – exactly 12 years ago today.

Miami went on to win in overtime, then sealed the title in Game 7 behind James’ 37 points. But none of it happens without Allen, who had spent years obsessively preparing for that exact shot – one that will forever live in basketball lore.

A day later, Allen reflected on the blur of the play – and the clarity of the moment:

“I was in the corner spaced and ‘Bron had made a 3 a little bit earlier. He had a good look at it, and I just knew, ‘Run to the basket to try to get a rebound’…

“I looked up, CB was standing there and he grabbed it. I was just like, ‘Get away from him and get to the 3-point line as soon as you can’…

“When I think about it now, it just seems like it… happened. In just half a second. I just got my feet ready and the ball was in the air…

“I’ve had so many shots in that corner. I understand always where I am … I purposefully put myself in different situations around there so I can understand my parameters around the baseline and endline…

“I realized this morning how much it affected this whole situation. Obviously, we wouldn’t be here right now. But from the people around the world, friends I know, how everybody watched it – and how it made them feel…

“Sometimes you forget because we live in a fishbowl and we don’t understand the magnificence of this situation. But it’s an amazing situation to be a part of.”