The Indiana Pacers clinched a dominant 4–2 series win over the New York Knicks, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in decades. Leading the charge was Pascal Siakam, who earned the 2024–25 Eastern Conference Finals MVP after a stellar performance across the series.
Siakam secured five of the nine votes to edge out teammate Tyrese Haliburton for the honor. In the decisive Game 6, Siakam delivered a commanding stat line: 31 points, five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal. He shot 10-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and hit 8-of-11 free throws.
The veteran forward brought the consistency Indiana needed, averaging 24.8 points, five rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game throughout the series. This marks Siakam’s second trip to the NBA Finals, further cementing his legacy as a postseason performer.
Obi Toppin added 18 points and six rebounds against his former team, while Pacers fans—decked out in gold—gave the team a rousing ovation as the game wound down with 47.2 seconds left. Indiana will travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday night.
On the Knicks’ side, OG Anunoby led the way with 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points. However, New York’s 17 turnovers—forced by relentless Pacers pressure—ultimately proved too costly in a physical, high-stakes battle.
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The Knicks, who haven’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999, were unable to extend the series. The tone was set early with bruising play: Towns limping after a hard foul, Haliburton clutching his jaw after hitting the floor. Neither team backed down in what became a gritty showdown.
Indiana pulled away early in the second half with a 9–0 run that opened up a 78–63 lead, fueled by three straight three-pointers—two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard. That momentum shift proved decisive, as the Pacers maintained control the rest of the way.
