The Indiana Pacers head into Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder with the kind of underdog energy and mental toughness that have defined their improbable postseason run. Despite entering the series as heavy underdogs, the Pacers have taken the Finals the distance by combining Tyrese Haliburton’s floor leadership with relentless pace, opportunistic shooting, and defensive schemes that force opponents out of rhythm. Indiana’s postseason has been a testament to depth and adaptability—they are 7–3 against the spread in road playoff games and have already beaten the Thunder once in Oklahoma City during this series, showing they are unfazed by hostile environments. Haliburton, even with a nagging calf injury, has continued to set the tone, averaging over 18 points, 7 assists, and nearly no turnovers per game, making him one of the most efficient decision-makers under pressure. He’s flanked by a gritty rotation that includes Pascal Siakam, whose championship pedigree has proven invaluable, Bennedict Mathurin’s perimeter fearlessness, and veteran spark plug T.J. McConnell, whose defensive pressure and timely buckets have flipped momentum more than once. Head coach Rick Carlisle has masterfully deployed aggressive zone defenses and full-court pressure to disrupt OKC’s rhythm, especially in transition, where the Thunder usually thrive. The Pacers have relied heavily on creating turnovers and converting in transition, where they’ve consistently outrun larger, more physical teams.

That formula will be crucial again in Game 7, especially given how difficult it is to score against OKC’s half-court defense anchored by Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren. Speaking of Holmgren, his elevated role on the glass in the last two games has made life tougher for Indiana’s frontcourt, so players like Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith will need to crash the boards hard and avoid foul trouble. On offense, Indiana’s shooters—Aaron Nesmith, Mathurin, and Haliburton—must be ready to fire confidently from beyond the arc, especially since clean looks will be rare. The bench’s contribution is just as vital, as Carlisle will need to manage rotations carefully to keep Haliburton fresh for closing time. The biggest challenge will be executing in the half court when OKC slows the game down—an area where Indiana has sometimes faltered when Haliburton is pressured or the offense becomes stagnant. Still, the Pacers have shown an ability to overcome adversity, claw back from deficits, and hit big shots when it matters most. They thrive in chaos, and Game 7 is as chaotic as it gets. If Haliburton is healthy enough to push the pace and make good reads, and if the defense can disrupt OKC’s rhythm just enough to keep the game within reach heading into the fourth quarter, the Pacers have a real shot to pull off the upset and complete one of the most improbable title runs in modern NBA history. It will require near-perfect execution, poise under pressure, and the same all-hands-on-deck effort that’s carried them this far. But if any team can snatch a Game 7 on the road with everything on the line, it’s this fearless Indiana group.