Pacers vs Thunder: Detroit legend Isiah Thomas predicts winner of Game 7 in NBA Finals

On Thursday night, the Indiana Pacers put on a basketball clinic against the Oklahoma City Thunder, cruising to a 108-91 win and forcing Game 7 of the NBA Finals. In the aftermath, Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas made a bold claim about what he thinks will go down in Sunday’s decisive matchup.

“I’m going to go with Indiana in an upset in Game 7,” Thomas said on NBA TV following Thursday’s game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I thought it was going to be Indiana in six. I thought they blew Game 4 here, but I think that they are capable of winning Game 7 in OKC.”

Explaining his prediction, Isiah pointed to the difference in how each team distributes offensive responsibility. “I think Indiana’s guys, Indiana players, because they don’t depend on one guy to get 25, they’ve got 5-6 guys who get 15-16-17,” he said. “They’re very comfortable in that range, and I think their game will travel in a Game 7.”

The Detroit point guard’s remark clearly refers to OKC’s heavy reliance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. When the 2025 MVP isn’t at his best—as was the case in Game 6, where he had more turnovers (8) than made field goals (7)—the team often struggles to find answers.

Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025 NBA Finals.

“I just think, because of tonight, the confidence that they played with, and maybe they shook the confidence of one or two of OKC’s players, and that’s all you need in a seven-game series, when one of the guys is a little bit off,” Thomas noted.

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What did Shai say after the game?

Following Oklahoma City’s loss that pushed the NBA Finals to Game 7, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addressed the media in a postgame press conference, offering his perspective on the Thunder’s performance. He specifically reflected on what it felt like to watch the fourth quarter from the bench with Indiana holding an insurmountable lead.

“I was thinking about what we could have done better, what I could have done better tonight… Just trying to do everything I can, everything I can learn from to get ready for the next game,” the guard admitted in a video shared by reporter Clemente Almanza on his X account. “Also watching the group on the floor, was impressive, they were great. They haven’t played the whole series and then they go out and play as hard as they did, it was inspiring. They were really good tonight, kinda taught me a lesson.”

Shai also underlined what a Game 7 in the NBA Finals means. “It’s one game for everything you’ve ever dreamed of,” he said. “If you win it, you get everything. If you lose it, you get nothing. It’s that simple.”