Is This Destiny? Indiana Joins Iconic List of Teams That Forced a Game 7 — and Won It All
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — It started as a dream. Then a run. Now it’s history in motion.
With their thrilling Game 6 victory in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers have forced a decisive Game 7—joining a rare and elite group of teams in the past 25 years that clawed back from the brink in the Finals to extend their championship hopes to the final buzzer.
And if history is any indication, they may be on the cusp of something truly legendary.
🏀 The Game 7 Club: A List of Legends
Only three other teams in the last 24 years have forced a Game 7 in the NBA Finals and gone on to win it all:
2010 Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant
2013 Miami Heat led by LeBron James
2016 Cleveland Cavaliers led again by LeBron James
Now, 2025 Indiana Pacers — led by the electric Tyrese Haliburton — join that sacred list. A team not expected to make it this far, not expected to push this hard, now finds itself one game away from an NBA championship.
“We’re not here to just show up,” Haliburton said after the Game 6 win.
“We believe we belong here. And we believe we can finish this.”
⚡ From Underdogs to Unforgettable
The Pacers’ postseason journey has already been one of the most surprising and inspiring stories in modern NBA history. With no prior Finals experience on the roster, a young core, and analysts counting them out in nearly every round, Indiana has turned grit, teamwork, and elite shot-making into a playoff formula that’s defied all expectations.
Haliburton’s leadership and vision have guided the offense.
Pascal Siakam’s championship DNA has brought toughness and experience.
Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard have delivered on both ends.
Rick Carlisle’s adjustments have been masterclass-level.
🔥 Why Game 7 Matters — and What History Says
Game 7 of the NBA Finals is more than a basketball game. It’s a test of composure, resilience, and legacy. For the Lakers in 2010, it was redemption after the 2008 loss to Boston. For the Heat in 2013, it was survival after Ray Allen’s miracle Game 6 shot. For the Cavaliers in 2016, it was the end of Cleveland’s championship drought and a comeback for the ages.
Now, it’s Indiana’s moment.
“We’ve watched those Game 7s on TV our whole lives,” said forward Obi Toppin.
“Now we’re about to play in one. It’s surreal — but we’re ready.”
🧠 Why This Pacers Team Feels Different
While they may not have the star power of a LeBron or Kobe, this Pacers team thrives on balance and belief. They’ve shown an uncanny ability to respond under pressure, especially on the road. Their bench has been the best in the playoffs. Their chemistry is unmatched. And their hunger is undeniable.
What they lack in Finals pedigree, they make up for in fearlessness.
“We’re not waiting our turn. This is our time,” said rookie sensation Jarace Walker.
“Why not us?”
🏟️ One Game for Everything
The NBA Finals Game 7 will tip off Sunday at 8 PM ET on ABC. Whether you’re rooting for the Pacers’ fairy-tale ending or betting on the experience of the Thunder, one thing is certain: this is basketball at its most dramatic.
