Indiana Pacers Reach First NBA Finals in 25 Years, Set to Face Oklahoma City Thunder After Eliminating New York Knicks
For the first time in 25 years, the Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals. It’s a moment that long-suffering Pacers fans have dreamed of since the days of Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, and the 2000 Finals run. Now, a new generation—led by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, veteran anchor Myles Turner, and head coach Rick Carlisle—has finally broken through, bringing Indiana back to the game’s biggest stage after defeating the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The series-clinching win came on the road in a dramatic Game 6 at Madison Square Garden, with the Pacers silencing the raucous New York crowd behind a masterclass in ball movement, defense, and clutch shot-making. Haliburton, in just his second postseason appearance, played like a seasoned superstar, calmly orchestrating the offense and finishing with a double-double that included several key fourth-quarter assists. Meanwhile, Indiana’s supporting cast—headlined by Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, and Aaron Nesmith—rose to the occasion with timely plays on both ends.
The 2025 Pacers have been one of the league’s biggest stories all season. After years of rebuilding and retooling, they finally found a winning formula: a dynamic playmaker in Haliburton, a defensive anchor in Turner, and a cast of versatile, unselfish role players that bought into Carlisle’s system. They weren’t seen as Finals favorites at the start of the playoffs, but with each round, they proved doubters wrong—first dispatching the Miami Heat in six games, then outlasting the top-seeded Boston Celtics in a stunning seven-game series, and now eliminating the Knicks, who had emerged as a gritty Eastern Conference contender in their own right.
The Game 6 win was symbolic of what’s made this Indiana team so special. Facing a Knicks squad known for their physicality and relentlessness, the Pacers didn’t just match that energy—they surpassed it. Despite being outmuscled early, Indiana adjusted, controlling the pace and using their depth to wear down New York’s rotation. Every time the Knicks made a run, someone from Indiana answered—whether it was Haliburton hitting a deep three, Turner swatting a shot at the rim, or T.J. McConnell providing his trademark hustle plays.
For Pacers fans, the victory brought a mix of joy, relief, and nostalgia. The franchise’s last Finals appearance came in 2000, when they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. That team, led by Reggie Miller and coached by Larry Bird, was tough, experienced, and resilient—traits that this 2025 version has embraced in its own way. The current squad may not have the same star power, but what they lack in flash, they more than make up for in chemistry and purpose.
Now, standing between the Pacers and their first-ever NBA championship are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have completed an impressive Western Conference run of their own. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have evolved from a rebuilding team into one of the league’s most well-rounded units, thanks to a blend of young talent, length, and defensive prowess. With rising stars like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, OKC presents a formidable challenge.
It’s a Finals matchup few predicted at the start of the year: two small-market teams that defied expectations, beat the odds, and leaned into team-first philosophies. The Pacers-Thunder showdown will be a celebration of player development, smart front office decisions, and patient roster-building. Neither team relied on superteams or blockbuster free-agent signings. Instead, they bet on character, culture, and cohesion—and now they meet with a championship on the line.
For Indiana, the road to this point has been a long one. After Paul George was traded in 2017, the franchise went through a period of instability—frequent coaching changes, injury woes, and roster uncertainty. Victor Oladipo’s rise and subsequent injuries, Domantas Sabonis’ emergence and eventual trade, and years of playoff exits painted a picture of a team caught between directions. But the 2022 acquisition of Haliburton changed everything.
Haliburton’s arrival gave Indiana the franchise cornerstone it had been missing. His vision, leadership, and unselfish playmaking immediately raised the ceiling of the team. Under Rick Carlisle, Haliburton blossomed into an All-NBA caliber point guard, and the Pacers, piece by piece, built around his strengths. The 2023 and 2024 seasons were steps in the right direction, but 2025 became the year it all came together.
This playoff run has been a testament to the team’s growth. Against Miami, they proved they could handle postseason pressure. Against Boston, they showed grit, stealing two road games and shutting down Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown when it mattered most. Against the Knicks, they exhibited maturity—closing out a feisty team in one of the league’s most hostile environments. The message was clear: these Pacers aren’t just a feel-good story. They’re a legitimate title contender.
Rick Carlisle, who won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, has drawn widespread praise for his coaching job this season. He’s maximized Indiana’s depth, empowered his young players, and consistently made winning adjustments. From deploying three-guard lineups to navigating injury stretches with poise, Carlisle has masterfully guided a team that was overlooked by many into a Finals contender.
Now, with four more wins standing between them and history, the Pacers must prepare for their toughest test yet. Oklahoma City is young, fast, and hungry. They’ve taken down some of the West’s best—including the reigning champion Denver Nuggets—in convincing fashion. Like Indiana, they play unselfishly, defend at a high level, and boast a rising superstar. The series promises to be a battle of execution, composure, and adaptability.
Matchups will be key. Haliburton vs. Gilgeous-Alexander is a dream showdown of elite guards. Myles Turner will have his hands full with the lanky and skilled Chet Holmgren, while wings like Nesmith and Mathurin must contend with OKC’s deep perimeter rotation. Coaching will also play a pivotal role, with Carlisle’s experience going up against Mark Daigneault’s youthful energy and innovation.
But while the X’s and O’s will matter, the emotional stakes can’t be ignored. For the Pacers, this is about more than just a championship. It’s about validating a decade of effort, sacrifice, and belief. It’s about honoring the franchise’s legacy—one that includes ABA titles but has long sought an elusive NBA crown. It’s about a fanbase that has waited patiently, stayed loyal, and now has a reason to believe again.
Pacers legends have already begun to weigh in. Reggie Miller, now a broadcaster, expressed his elation during the postgame coverage, calling it “one of the proudest moments in franchise history.” Other former players and coaches took to social media to share their congratulations, emphasizing how special it is to see Indiana back on the Finals stage after a generation-long wait.
There’s also a sense that this might just be the beginning. With Haliburton still ascending, and a young core around him, the Pacers are built for sustained success. Regardless of the outcome of the Finals, this season has already laid the foundation for a new era of Indiana basketball—one built on joy, effort, and a commitment to playing the right way.
Still, the job isn’t finished. A championship remains the ultimate goal, and the Thunder won’t be easy to topple. But if there’s one thing this Pacers team has shown, it’s resilience. They weren’t supposed to beat the Celtics. They weren’t supposed to outlast the Knicks. And they certainly weren’t supposed to be the Eastern Conference champions. But here they are, standing tall, ready for the biggest challenge yet.
The countdown to Game 1 begins now. For the Indiana Pacers, history is within reach. For their fans, this Finals berth is a moment of redemption, pride, and hope. And for the basketball world, this series offers something pure—two teams who earned their spot the hard way, meeting on equal ground, each chasing their first-ever NBA title.
The Indiana Pacers are back. The drought is over. The dream is alive. And the 2025 NBA Finals have never felt more personal.
