Pacers fight to the end in Game 7 loss
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Once again, the Pacers battled overwhelming odds in the NBA Finals. But they never stopped fighting. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
The 2025 NBA Champions needed seven games and one torn Achilles to beat the Pacers Sunday night.
Why it matters: Oklahoma City's triumph brings Indiana's historic — and at times magical — postseason run to a heartbreaking conclusion and keeps our basketball-loving city NBA championship-starved for another season.
Driving the news: The Pacers lost 103-91 to the Thunder.
- OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added NBA Finals MVP honors to his league MVP credentials after dropping 29 points and 12 assists in Game 7.
Zoom in: A gut-wrenching moment for Pacers fans came with 4:55 left in the first quarter when Tyrese Haliburton collapsed to the court in pain.
- Reports of a torn Achilles that began to roll in after the All-Star was helped to the sidelines, confirming that Haliburton would once again have to watch his team finish the postseason from the sidelines.
Yes, but: The toughness that defined Indiana's postseason run was on full display as the team continued to trade leads with Oklahoma City for the remainder of the first half despite losing their superstar point guard.
- That resilience wasn't enough to keep the Thunder contained after the break, and a third quarter that saw the Pacers outscored 34-20 was too much to overcome without the threat of another Haliburton game-winner in the chamber.
What they're saying: Pascal Siakam reflected on his team's never-say-die attitude throughout the postseason in his post-game remarks while thanking the fans for giving them the spark they needed time and time again.
- "We couldn't do it without them. Every time we were out there and the game felt like it was getting away, we kept just battling because we wanted to make Indiana proud," he said. "We wanted to make our fans proud, and we tried our best."
- "I love every single one of these guys. I wouldn't do it with anybody else and I'm just super proud of this team."
Between the lines: Fans can take solace in knowing one of the best Pacers teams ever may get another crack at NBA title immortality, barring any significant offseason shakeups.
- A top priority should be locking down Myles Turner, the longest tenured Pacer, with a new deal. The center is set to enter free agency this summer, and word is the Phoenix Suns have shown interest.
- The rest of last night's starting lineup will return: Aaron Nesmith is under contract through 2027; Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard through 2028; and Haliburton through 2029.
- Others hitting the free agent market this summer are Thomas Bryant, James Johnson and Isaiah Jackson.
What's next: With the season wrapped up, the team now turns its attention to roster development and the NBA Draft, which starts Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York.
The intrigue: Indiana is already making moves, trading the No. 23 overall pick to New Orleans to reacquire a first-round 2026 pick and clear out about $3.2 million in salary cap space.
- The Pacers will make their initial pick in the second round with the No. 54 overall selection.
The bottom line: In Indianapolis — where it's more than just basketball — "maybe next year" is more than just something to say to feel better this morning.