Final Score 125-108 Pacers Make History: Indiana Takes Down Knicks in Game 6 to Advance to NBA Finals -- Despite Charles Barkley's and Shaq's Halftime Comments

Pacer Eastern Conference Champs 2025

Indianapolis, IN — May 31, 2025, In a game that will be remembered for years to come, the Indiana Pacers delivered a historic performance in front of a raucous home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. After the first 6 minutes it was clear the pace favored the home team.  The pacers moved the ball and hit 3-point shots to quickly offset a quick start by the Knick’s standout guard, Jalen Brunson.

After a good start, the “Knicks got way too sloppy early on. They aren’t going to win turning the ball over 6 times a quarter,” appeared on twitter.

The Game had the feel of game seven, with the Knicks on the bubble and the Pacers trying to avoid going back to Madison Square Gardens.  The key at the outset was turnovers, since the Pacers had less than 10 in their previous wins, and more than 15 in their 2 losses. Pacers had not lost 2 games in a row since mid-March.

The first quarter ended 25-24 good guys, after 5 lead changes.  Tied at 33 in period two, the Knicks scored too easily after using their defense and athleticism to science the Pacer’s crowd temporarily as the Pacers scored 6 unanswered to lead 39-33 at the midpoint of the second quarter.  Nonetheless, in Game 1, Tyrese Haliburton did Reggie Miller's choke sign, grabbing his neck, to the Knicks after he thought he hit the game-winner at the buzzer, but his foot was on the line, making it 125 each. Pacers were down 14 with just over two minutes left in the 4th quarter but forced overtime.  Still the choke sign before the end of  Game 1 and now as the series get tightens and the play intensifies – taunting before the end of the series is potentially haunting karma Pacer fans fear, and it seemed to have ignited the Knicks players at times.

Down 4 at the half, first Barkley then Shaq on TV half time show produced by TNT Sports and distributed by ESPN and ABC agreed "the Knicks have the Pacers right where they want them." To which, Pacer fans chant, "Scoreboard" and to Shaq, "Remember 2000!"

Losers. Time for 3 beers and a Fanta? Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kB_OGFY968

Winning fans wear the shirt and "Gold out" the Fieldhouse

The Pacer’s win clinched the series 4-2 and earned their first trip to the NBA Finals in 25 years, where they will face the red-hot Oklahoma Lightning (OLKA).

This victory wasn’t just a win — it was a statement by a highly offensive team under a winning coach Rick Carlisle. "They played harder than us," Pascal Siakam said after the 111-94 defeat in Game 5 in New York. Tonight, Siakam came to play scoring 14 points in second quarter, helping end the 7-2 Pacer run to end the first half. After 3 periods, Pacer led by 15 and had 7 TO vs. Knick's 13 TO; each team shot about 50% from the floor.

The 4th started with an ankle injury to Jarace Walker (#5), and too many easy points for the Knickerbockers, allowing them to cut the Pacer's lead to 9. But in the final minutes, it was Indiana’s poise, fowl shooting, defense, steals, rebounding, shooting percentage, and depth that made the difference.

Witn 4:20 left the lead was 19 points, good guys; and Shaq and Charles were both eating concession stand pizza, stuffing in their mouths-- choking down "the worst in the country" according to BarStool Sports Dave Portnoy.

After 4 quarters, led by All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s who found the will to score down the stretch, totaling 18 points, 14 assists, and 4 steals, the Pacers overcame a physical Knicks team. Siakam added It was a game of pace, the Pacer's pace, and resilience, with momentum swinging at time through four intense quarters, save the third and forth quarters when the Pacers dominated. The Fieldhouse crowed was feeling it, smelling it, regularly calling for defense! Pappa Haliburton was animated up in the nose bleed seats.

“I’ve dreamed about this moment my whole life,” Haliburton said after the game, draped in a Pacers flag and beaming with emotion. “We’ve been building something special here in Indiana. To do it in front of our fans — it means everything.”

But it was head coach Rick Carlisle’s substitutions helped keep the pace up. Known for his cerebral style. The Pacers made the Knicks’ get so out of rhythm and forcing turnovers — which led to fast-break points.

The Pacers’ return to the Finals marks their first since 2000, when Reggie Miller led them against the Shaq-and-Kobe Lakers. Now, a new generation of stars will write their own chapter, and they’ll face a formidable opponent in the Oklahoma Lightning — led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the dynamic rookie phenom Kelton Royce.

Tip-off for Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set for next Thursday in Oklahoma City, but tonight, the Pacers — and their fans — are celebrating a Hoosier state basketball legacy reborn.

“We’re not done yet,” Haliburton said with a grin. “This is Indiana Pacer basketball. Let’s go get an NBA title for Indianapolis! I am going to the finals.”