Championship On The Line: NBA Finals Game 7 is Here
The climax of the 2025 NBA season has arrived. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers face off in a decisive Game 7 of the NBA Finals, a winner-take-all clash to determine the champion. This marks the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history and the first since 2016, adding significant historical weight to the already immense stakes. Both franchises are vying for a monumental victory – either the Pacers’ first-ever championship or the Thunder’s first since relocating to Oklahoma City.
This highly anticipated finale unfolds at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder have held a commanding home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, boasting a dominant 10-2 record with an average net rating of +20.7 entering tonight.
Haliburton Injury Rocks Pacers Early in Game 7
A significant development has shaken the Indiana Pacers early in Game 7. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton exited the game in the first quarter due to an apparent injury to his right leg after slipping. Unable to put weight on the leg, he required assistance to leave the court and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.
This is a crucial blow for Indiana, particularly as Haliburton had been managing a right calf strain sustained in Game 5. Playing through calf issues carries inherent risks, as tragically highlighted by Kevin Durant’s Achilles rupture in the 2019 Finals after playing on a calf strain. Before his exit, Haliburton had provided an early spark, scoring 9 points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc. Backup guard T.J. McConnell immediately saw an increased role for the Pacers following Haliburton’s departure.
Pre-Game Stakes and Storylines
Heading into Game 7, the atmosphere inside the Paycom Center was electric, described as incredibly loud with nervous energy palpable among both teams. Players on both sides acknowledged the immense pressure. As Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put it, Game 7 is “one game for everything you ever dreamed of. If you win it, you get everything. If you lose it, you get nothing. It’s that simple.”
The Thunder, who finished the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record, entered the series as heavy favorites. However, the underdog Pacers, known for thriving against the odds, forced this decisive game with a dominant 108-91 victory in Game 6. This set the stage for Indiana to attempt a rare feat: becoming only the fifth road team to win an NBA Finals Game 7 in history. The historical record strongly favors the host, with home teams holding a 15-4 advantage in previous Finals Game 7s.
A key strategic battle identified before tipoff was how the Pacers would attempt to contain Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After SGA dominated earlier in the series, Indiana adjusted its defense in Game 6, holding him to just 21 points and forcing 8 turnovers by backing off full-court pressure and employing more aggressive halfcourt double-teams. Success in this matchup was seen as pivotal.
Unique Paths to the Finals
The Pacers’ journey to the Finals is notably different from recent champions. While teams like Boston, Denver, Golden State, and Milwaukee largely built through drafting stars, and the Lakers through free agency and star trades, the Pacers heavily relied on trades. Half of their core playoff rotation, including key scorers Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton (now injured), and Aaron Nesmith, were acquired via trade. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan stated there’s “no one right way to do it,” highlighting their successful alternative approach, which mirrors the 2019 Raptors’ trade-heavy construction.
Statistically, the “possession game” was identified as critical throughout the series, revolving around turnovers and offensive rebounds. Indiana’s drastic reduction in turnovers from Game 5 (22) to Game 6 (7 through three quarters) was a major factor in their series-extending win. Bench scoring was also highlighted as a key indicator.
Adding a layer of drama, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed pre-game frustration after seeing a video of “CHAMPIONS” painted on buses in Oklahoma City, deeming it premature and disrespectful.
Expert Analysis Before the Injury
Prior to Tyrese Haliburton’s early exit, expert analysts were split on predicting the winner, with many acknowledging the unpredictability of the series. The Athletic’s staff predictions slightly favored Indiana (6-5 split). Arguments for a Pacers victory often cited their underdog mentality, ability to handle pressure, bench depth (McConnell, Toppin impressed in Game 6), and knack for “finding a way” in close games. Concerns were raised about the Thunder potentially lacking the necessary “gravitas” for the biggest moments despite their talent.
Arguments for a Thunder win leaned heavily on their dominant home-court record, the expectation of an MVP performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after his Game 6 struggles, and the historical precedent favoring home teams in Game 7s. Some analysts also factored in potential concerns about Haliburton’s pre-existing calf issue limiting him over a full game.
However, Haliburton’s injury fundamentally alters the dynamics analyzed before the game, presenting Indiana with a significant challenge to overcome on the road.
Other Pre-Game Notes
Earlier in the evening, Grammy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native and Thunder fan, performed the national anthem. The officiating crew for Game 7 included James Capers, Josh Tiven, and Sean Wright, marking the first time each of them has received this assignment.
As the live coverage continues, all eyes remain on the court to see how the Pacers adapt without their floor general and whether the Thunder can capitalize on their home-court advantage and the altered landscape of this historic Game 7.
