INDIANAPOLIS — With their season hanging in the balance, the Indiana Pacers once again did what they’ve made a habit of all year: defy expectations.

Indiana stormed past the Oklahoma City Thunder 108–91 in a decisive Game 6 on Thursday night, sending the NBA Finals to a dramatic Game 7 showdown. It’s the first Finals to reach a seventh game since 2016, and it all comes down to Sunday night in Oklahoma City.

“The ultimate game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said afterward.

Total Team Effort Fuels Indiana’s Win

The Pacers came out cold, missing their first eight shots and falling behind 10–2. But that didn’t last long. Once they found their rhythm, they absolutely took over.

• Obi Toppin led the way with 20 points
• Andrew Nembhard added 17
• Pascal Siakam chipped in 16 points and 13 rebounds
• Tyrese Haliburton, still nursing a strained calf, had 14 points
• And off the bench, TJ McConnell brought his usual spark with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists

“We just wanted to protect home court,” Haliburton said. “We didn’t want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our floor. Backs against the wall — we responded. Total team effort.”

Turning Point: A 68–32 Run

After a sluggish start, the Pacers went on an incredible 68–32 run over the next 24 minutes, flipping the game from a nail-biter to a runaway. A team that hadn’t led by double digits in the first five games of the series suddenly found itself up by 31 points — the Thunder’s second-largest deficit of the season.

And this wasn’t the first time Indiana clawed its way back from adversity. The Pacers started the season 10–15, battled through multiple double-digit playoff comebacks, and now find themselves just one win from an NBA title.

Thunder Stumble, Look to Regroup

For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 16, but the Thunder struggled mightily. By the end of the third quarter, they pulled their starters, trailing by 30.

“Credit Indiana,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault admitted. “They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes.”

The Thunder tried to mix things up after halftime, inserting Alex Caruso into the starting five in place of Isaiah Hartenstein — but it didn’t spark anything. Neither team scored in the first 3:53 of the third quarter, missing a combined 13 straight shots to start the second half.

Game 7 History: Can OKC Bounce Back?

Historically, home teams are 15–4 in Game 7s of the NBA Finals. That stat might favor the Thunder, who will host the finale. But history cuts both ways — the last Finals Game 7 saw Cleveland win on the road against Golden State in 2016. And back in 1978, Seattle (which later became the Thunder) lost a Finals Game 7 at home.

This Thunder team has already pulled off big comebacks this postseason — most notably, rallying from a 45-point hole against Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. They’ll need that same resilience one more time.

“Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us,” Daigneault said. “But we’ll be ready.”

Game 7 is Set: Sunday Night in OKC

Everything now comes down to one final game. The title, the legacy, the glory — it’s all up for grabs. Whether the Pacers complete their incredible underdog run or the Thunder seize the moment on their home floor, one thing is certain:

Game 7 is going to be electric.

Source: AP News – Pacers roll past Thunder 108-91 to send the NBA Finals to a deciding Game 7

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Just one day after being named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed exactly why he earned the honor, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Before tip-off, Gilgeous-Alexander received the Michael Jordan Trophy in front of a roaring OKC crowd. By the end of the night, he had tied his playoff career high with 38 points, along with eight assists and three steals. It marked his fifth consecutive playoff game with at least 30 points.

“It felt really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “My emotions were high, I was a little too juiced up at the start. But this was a special moment.”

Team Effort Fuels Thunder’s Surge

While SGA stole the spotlight, it was a full-team effort that put the Thunder up 2-0 in the series. Rising star Jalen Williams contributed a stellar 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, continuing his postseason breakout. Rookie center Chet Holmgren also made a major impact, scoring 22 points and grabbing four boards.

The game remained tight through the first half, but just like in Game 1, OKC erupted in the third quarter. A crucial 14-2 run broke the game open and gave the Thunder a lead that swelled to 24 points. Although Minnesota clawed back to within 10 in the fourth, the Thunder never let them get closer.

T-Wolves Show Fight, But Fall Short Again

Anthony Edwards responded to his own call for more aggressiveness after Game 1, doubling his shot attempts and finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Jaden McDaniels added 22 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker—SGA’s cousin—chipped in 17 off the bench.

But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s momentum. Julius Randle had his first off night of the postseason, managing just six points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pointed to a poor close to the first half as a turning point.

“If we close the half better, we don’t put ourselves on such a razor’s edge in the third,” Finch said. “Missed shots and turnovers gave them the runway they needed.”

Looking Ahead: Game 3 in Minnesota

The series now shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Saturday. The Timberwolves have lost just once at home in their last 10 games and hold a 4-1 home record in this postseason.

“We’re going to fight for Game 3,” said Finch. “Heads up, look at the tape, and get ready.”

With the Thunder firing on all cylinders and Gilgeous-Alexander playing the best basketball of his life, the pressure is on Minnesota to respond.

Source: CNN – Newly-crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Oklahoma City Thunder to dominant Game 2 win over Minnesota Timberwolves

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially joined basketball royalty.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star was crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on Wednesday — marking not only his first MVP award but also the seventh consecutive year that a non-U.S.-born player has claimed the honor. The 25-year-old Canadian guard led the Thunder to the league’s best record and etched his name in history by becoming just the second Canadian ever to win the MVP, following in the footsteps of Steve Nash.

A Historic Season for SGA and the Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander put together an extraordinary season:

• Averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game
• Led OKC to a 68-14 record, best in the league
• Thunder posted a +12.9 point differential, the largest in NBA history

The MVP race came down to Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, with each receiving 71 and 29 first-place votes respectively. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third in the voting.

Rising Above the Competition

Despite fierce competition from Jokic — who averaged a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists — it was Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistent dominance and leadership that gave him the edge.

“This is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” SGA said during the announcement on TNT. “You try to block it out during the season, but it’s always there in the back of your mind.”

He also becomes the first guard to win MVP since James Harden in 2018.

Confidence Fueled the Run

Thunder teammate Kenrich Williams praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s confidence, calling it his most valuable trait. “It’s not just about what he believes in himself. It’s how he lifts everyone around him.”

That belief translated into results. Gilgeous-Alexander went from fifth in MVP voting two years ago, to second last year behind Jokic, to finally taking the top spot this season.

“I wanted to flip the narrative this year,” he said. “And I think I did just that.”

A Continued Streak for International MVPs

The MVP win by Gilgeous-Alexander continues a remarkable trend:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece/Nigeria): 2019, 2020
• Nikola Jokic (Serbia): 2021, 2022, 2024
• Joel Embiid (Cameroon/USA): 2023
• Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada): 2025

Together, they’ve built a new era of global dominance in the NBA.

Other MVP Vote Leaders

• 4th: Jayson Tatum (Boston)
• 5th: Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland)
• 6th: LeBron James (Lakers) – 20th time receiving MVP votes
• Tied 7th: Cade Cunningham (Detroit), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota)
• 9th: Stephen Curry (Golden State)
• Tied 10th: James Harden, Jalen Brunson, Evan Mobley

Other NBA Awards Highlights This Season

• Coach of the Year: Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland)
• Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels (Atlanta)
• Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle (San Antonio)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley (Cleveland)
• Clutch Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson (New York)
• Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard (Boston)
• Teammate of the Year: Stephen Curry (Warriors)
• Hustle Award: Draymond Green (Warriors)
• Executive of the Year: Sam Presti (Thunder)
• Sportsmanship & Social Justice Awards: Jrue Holiday (Boston)

Bottom Line:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP win caps off a stunning season for both him and the Thunder, while continuing a dominant international run in one of basketball’s most prestigious honors. From Ontario to NBA stardom, SGA is redefining greatness — with confidence, consistency, and a global spotlight.

Source: AP News – Gilgeous-Alexander voted as the NBA’s MVP, continuing run of international players winning the award

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