On Thursday night, an NBA champion could be crowned for the first time since the Celtics hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy last summer.
The Thunder, coming off a 120-109 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, have an opportunity to close out the Pacers on the road. After a 68-win regular season, Oklahoma City entered the Finals as the favorite and has had more of a test with Indiana than expected after the Pacers opened the series with a 2-1 lead. Since then, it’s been all Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been outstanding throughout the series, averaging 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.4 steals over five Finals games, while Jalen Williams exploded for 40 points in Monday’s Game 5. While a deep Pacers unit has made comebacks its patented method of victory throughout the playoffs, it’s also been overmatched in the past five-plus quarters vs. OKC.
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Now, Indiana has its back against the wall. The Pacers will get to play in front of their home crowd as they attempt to force a Game 7, but their star guard isn’t at full health. Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a lingering calf strain, an injury that played a part in his four-point performance last time out. While his availability is in question for Game 6, even if he plays, it’s well-known that Haliburton’s not at 100 percent.
With a win Thursday, Oklahoma City would cap an all-time season with its first championship since moving from Seattle back in 2008, and Gilgeous-Alexander would already stamp his status as one of the best guards in NBA history. But if the Pacers can squeak out a win, they’d force one last matchup to decide the title — and who knows what could happen in a Game 7.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder, who own a 3-2 series lead. Follow along with the action below.
Thunder vs. Pacers live score
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Thunder vs. Pacers highlights from Game 6 of 2025 NBA Finals
All times ET.
8:24 p.m. — The starters for Indiana with their season on the line:
first five for Game 6. pic.twitter.com/WAkeTsGRo3
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2025
8:13 p.m. — Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged more points in each series as the playoffs have gone on.
⛈️ SHAI’S ELECTRIFYING POSTSEASON RUN ⛈️
R1 vs. MEM: 27.8 PPG
R2 vs. DEN: 29.7 PPG
R3 vs. MIN: 31.4 PPG
Finals vs. IND (so far): 32.4 PPGRaising the bar every round in pursuit of a title 💯 pic.twitter.com/uCZKM9HZ5d
— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2025
7:14 p.m. — Could today be the day Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adds a ring to his resume?
SGA always makes time for the fans… even outside the hotel on the way to Game 6! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/aOseLdqvK9
— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2025
7:13 p.m. — Tyrese Haliburton entered today as a game-time decision, but Rick Carlisle said the star point guard will play in Game 6. He arrived to the arena early and got some shots up.
LOCKING IN FOR A CRITICAL GAME 6 IN INDY 😤
🍿 8:30pm/et, ABC https://t.co/2JRG9mqSFB pic.twitter.com/wi7g2csLlf
— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2025
TYRESE HALIBURTON ARRIVES FOR GAME 6!
🆚 Thunder (3-2) Pacers
⏰ 8:30pm/et on ABC#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/7t5XzNy4uP— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2025
Thunder vs. Pacers start time
- Date: Thursday, June 19
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. PT
Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 19. The game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
How to watch the 2025 NBA Finals
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: Sling
Game 6 of Thunder vs. Pacers, and the rest of the series, will air nationally on ABC. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst), and Doris Burke (analyst) will have the call for every game.
Viewers can also stream the games live on Sling, which will carry every NBA playoff game in 2025. Sling is your home for playoff action. Catch NBA and NHL postseason games with a range of sports channels including TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ABC, and more.
NBA Finals schedule 2025
(1) Thunder vs. (4) Pacers
| Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5 | Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 | — | — |
| June 8 | Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107 | — | — |
| June 11 | Game 3: Pacers 116, Thunder 107 | — | — |
| June 13 | Game 4: Thunder 111, Pacers 104 | — | — |
| June 16 | Game 5: Thunder 120, Pacers 109 | — | — |
| June 19 | Game 6: Oklahoma City vs. Indiana | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 22 | Game 7: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
