The 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers has delivered high drama, culminating in the ultimate test: a winner-take-all Game 7. Set to tip off Sunday in Oklahoma City, this highly anticipated matchup marks the 20th time in NBA history that the championship will be decided in a decisive Game 7. Stepping onto this hallowed ground connects these two teams to a rich tapestry of legendary games, moments, and performances that have shaped basketball history.
The 20th Winner-Take-All: Thunder vs. Pacers
Few predicted this specific Finals pairing, let alone a dramatic seven-game series, but the Thunder and Pacers have proven to be perfect foils, trading blows and delivering compelling performances. The series has seen dramatic swings, from Tyrese Haliburton’s Game 1 heroics and “The Bennedict Mathurin Game” in Game 3 for Indiana, to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shifting into “MVP mode” in Game 4 and “The Jalen Williams Game” in Game 5 for Oklahoma City. Despite Haliburton battling injury, the Pacers delivered a decisive victory in Game 6 (108-91) to force the ultimate decider.
For both teams, this represents the pinnacle of their season’s work. The Thunder finished the regular season with the NBA’s best record (68-14), while the Pacers (50-32) mounted an impressive run. Both coaches acknowledge the magnitude of the moment, with Thunder coach Mark Daigneault calling it “a privilege” and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle echoing that sentiment.
“We have one game for everything, for everything we’ve worked for, and so do they,” said Thunder point guard and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “The better team Sunday will win.”
Both teams also have recent experience in winner-take-all situations. The Thunder won a decisive Game 7 at home against the Denver Nuggets (125-93) earlier in these playoffs. The Pacers also secured a Game 7 road victory last year, blowing out the New York Knicks (130-109) in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Historically, home court has been a significant advantage in these winner-take-all Finals games. The Thunder boast a strong 36-6 regular-season home record and are 10-2 at home in the playoffs. The Pacers, however, have shown resilience on the road, with a 21-20 regular-season mark and a 7-4 playoff road record entering Game 7.
A Look Back: The History of NBA Finals Game 7s
Before the Thunder and Pacers add their chapter, 19 previous NBA Finals have gone the distance, producing some of the most iconic moments in basketball history.
Game 7 by the Numbers:
Home Court Advantage: Historically, the home team has dominated, holding a 15-4 record in NBA Finals Game 7s. However, there’s a recent shift; visitors have won 9 of the 14 Game 7s played across all NBA playoff rounds since 2021.
Tight Contests: Finals Game 7s are typically close affairs. The average margin of victory across the first 19 is just 6.9 points. Only four have been decided by double-digit margins, and none since 1974.
Defensive Battles: Offense often tightens up under pressure. No team has scored 100 points in a Finals Game 7 since the Lakers reached 108 in 1988. Recent examples include scores like 93-89 (2016), 95-88 (2013), 83-79 (2010), 81-74 (2005), and 90-84 (1994).
Rarity: Game 7s in the Finals are special events, occurring only 20 times in over 70 years of league history. The longest span without one was 11 years (1994-2005).
Legendary Moments and Unforgettable Performances
The history of NBA Finals Game 7s is filled with moments etched into sports lore:
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Golden State Warriors 89 – Arguably the most famous, as the Cavaliers became the first team in Finals history to rally from a 3-1 deficit. Highlighted by LeBron James’ game-saving block and Kyrie Irving’s game-deciding 3-pointer. James delivered a historic triple-double (27 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast). It was also the first road team win in a Game 7 since 1978.
2013: Miami Heat 95, San Antonio Spurs 88 – Made possible by Ray Allen’s miraculous Game 6 shot, this Game 7 saw LeBron James rise to the occasion with 37 points and 12 rebounds to secure his second straight title with the Heat.
2010: Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston Celtics 79 – A gritty, low-scoring battle between bitter rivals. Kobe Bryant had an inefficient shooting night (6-for-24) but found ways to impact the game with 23 points (11-for-15 FT) and 15 rebounds en route to his fifth title.
1988: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Detroit Pistons 105 – Known for a chaotic finish as fans prematurely stormed the court. James Worthy delivered a “monster” triple-double (36 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) to earn Finals MVP honors.
1970: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99 – The iconic “Willis Reed Game.” An injured Reed hobbled onto the court, inspiring the Knicks faithful and his teammates, most notably Walt Frazier, who delivered an all-time performance with 36 points and 19 assists.
1969: Boston Celtics 108, Los Angeles Lakers 106 – Famous for Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke’s premature victory plans fueling the Celtics. Also notable as the only time a player from the losing team won Finals MVP: Jerry West (who averaged 37.9 points in the series).
Bill Russell’s Dominance: No player appeared in or won more Finals Game 7s than Bill Russell. His performances were legendary, including a staggering 40 rebounds in the 1962 Game 7 win over the Lakers and 32 rebounds in the 1966 and 1957 wins, showcasing his unparalleled impact on the ultimate stage.
Early Classics: The 1957 Celtics-Hawks Game 7 went to double overtime, the only Finals game ever to do so, kicking off the Celtics’ dynasty. The first Finals Game 7 in 1951 saw the Rochester Royals defeat the Knicks, and the first season with the 24-second shot clock culminated in a thrilling 92-91 Game 7 win for the Syracuse Nationals in 1955.
Franchise Legacies: Celtics and Lakers
Historically, two franchises stand above the rest in Game 7 appearances: the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers (including their time in Minneapolis). Both clubs have played in eight NBA Finals Game 7s. The rivalry is so deep that they’ve faced each other in the deciding game five times. Boston holds an impressive 7-1 record in their eight appearances, demonstrating their championship pedigree when everything is on the line.
Adding to the History
On Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will step onto the same court that has hosted these legendary battles. One team will add their name to the exclusive list of champions decided in Game 7. The weight of history, the intensity of a winner-take-all scenario, and the dream of an NBA championship converge in what promises to be another unforgettable chapter in basketball history.
