- Pascal Siakam scored 31 points and was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
- Indiana Pacers reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000
- Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 13 assists in the Game 6 win over New York
Key Takeaways:
Pascal Siakam scored 31 points and the Indiana Pacers qualified for the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 after defeating the visiting New York Knicks 125–108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis. Siakam was named the Most Valuable Player of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points, 13 assists and 3 steals in the win. Obi Toppin scored 18 points off the bench, while Andrew Nembhard recorded 14 points and 6 steals for the Pacers.
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/rboJa8yYv8
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 1, 2025
Indiana will face Western Conference champions Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday.
OG Anunoby had 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds for the third-seeded Knicks. Jalen Brunson added 19 points and 5 assists, and Mikal Bridges scored 15 for New York.
The Knicks were trailing by 15 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but a basket by Towns and two straight by Anunoby reduced the deficit to 83–92 with 10:15 left. Haliburton then took control, scoring 11 points. The Pacers pushed the lead to 14 after a Nembhard basket with 8:26 remaining.
Later, two points from Haliburton and a three-pointer from Nembhard made it 113–94 with 4:22 to play. Siakam hit two free throws to push the score to 120–99 with 1:52 left on the clock, securing the win for his team.