Game 6 of the NBA Finals did not go as expected for the Oklahoma City Thunder. With all the momentum of a comeback victory in Game 4 and a solid win in Game 5, the Thunder were all but ready for the parade in OKC. The Indiana Pacers, however, had other plans, as they embarrassed the Thunder, forcing a Game 7 in the process. Now, it’s one game for all the marbles.
If you had told Thunder fans at the beginning of the season that their team would be playing in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, they’d have been thrilled. It’s hard to say that’s the exact sentiment currently, considering this could have been decided on Thursday night, but none of that matters now. The stats, the odds, the expectations…none of that counts once the whistle blows, the ball is thrown in the air, and the two best teams in the NBA go head-to-head for one final game to decide who gets to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Both teams have earned their way here, and as heavily favored as OKC was before the Finals started, this series has been about as entertaining as any Finals in recent history. The Thunder has leaned on the home crowd for many big moments so far this season and in the Playoffs, and it’s likely going to take a loud crowd, an MVP-type performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a tenacious team effort to put OKC over the top. No matter what happens, though, it’s been one heck of a run.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: ABC
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Indiana Pacers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Jalen Williams
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Pacers
- PG: Tyrese Haliburton
- SG: Andrew Nembhard
- SF: Aaron Nesmith
- PF: Pascal Siakam
- C: Myles Turner
Injury Report
Thunder
- Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
Pacers
- Tyrese Haliburton (strained right calf) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles tendon) is OUT.
- Jarace Walker (sprained right ankle) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 15-16 against the Pacers in the regular season (9-5 at home, 6-11 on the road) and 3-3 in the Playoffs (2-1 at home, 1-2 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Pacers 4 times, lost it 6 times, and tied 7 times.
- The Thunder won the season series 2-0 this season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder and the Pacers are tied 3-3 in the NBA Finals (2-1 at home, 1-2 on the road).