The Indiana Pacers have officially punched their ticket to the NBA Finals after a commanding 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This marks a monumental moment for the franchise, as they return to the Finals for the first time since 2000, breaking a 25-year drought.
For decades, the Pacers have been a staple of competitive basketball, but an NBA championship has remained elusive. Since joining the league in 1976, Indiana has made multiple deep playoff runs, yet they have only reached the Finals once before—falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.
Prior to their NBA tenure, the Pacers were a dominant force in the ABA, winning three championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973. However, since the ABA-NBA merger, the franchise has struggled to replicate that success on the biggest stage. This Finals appearance represents a historic breakthrough, giving Indiana a chance to finally claim its first NBA title.
Indiana’s journey to the Finals has been nothing short of remarkable. As the fourth seed, they defied expectations by eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, stunning the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the second, and now dispatching the Knicks in six games.
Led by Pascal Siakam, who earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors, and Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers have showcased a fast-paced, high-scoring style that has overwhelmed opponents. Their ability to push the tempo, knock down threes, and play disciplined defense has made them one of the most exciting teams in the league.
Before this season, the Pacers had a 1-8 record in Eastern Conference Finals appearances, the worst among NBA teams. Legendary players like Reggie Miller and Paul George led Indiana to multiple conference finals, only to fall short against powerhouse teams like Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers, and LeBron James’ Heat.
This year, however, the Pacers rewrote history, proving that small-market teams can still compete at the highest level.
The Pacers will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, marking a rare championship showdown between two small-market teams. This is the first time since 1979 that neither Finals participant comes from a major media market, making it a historic moment for the league.
Both teams have built their rosters through smart drafting, player development, and strategic trades, proving that success isn’t limited to big-market franchises. The Thunder, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, enter the series as favorites, but the Pacers have shown they can defy expectations.
Indiana now stands on the brink of its first-ever NBA championship. A victory in the Finals would cement their legacy and finally bring an NBA title to a city that has waited nearly five decades for basketball glory.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set for June 5 in Oklahoma City, where the Pacers will look to continue their Cinderella run and capture their first-ever NBA championship.
