The Indiana Pacers are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 24 years after defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday. With the win, the Pacers clinched the series 4-2 and earned just their second Finals appearance in franchise history.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 31 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Tyrese Haliburton added a 21-point, 13-assist double-double, shaking off a slow start to power Indiana’s offense.
“You know, we got to the same spot last year, fell short and we just worked our tails off as a group to get back here,” Haliburton said. “It’s been a bumpy road with our start and (I’m) just really proud of the resilience of this group.”
Siakam was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP. “After a bad game five, we wanted to bounce back,” he said. “And I have 100 percent belief in my teammates. Whenever we’re down, we always find a way — and we did that tonight.”
Indiana turned a tight first half into a commanding lead after opening the third quarter with a 9-0 run, eventually outscoring the Knicks 34-23 in the period. Seven Pacers players scored in double figures, including 18 points from Obi Toppin and 11 from Thomas Bryant off the bench. Indiana’s reserves outscored New York’s bench 38-20.
The Knicks, who haven’t been to the Finals since 1999, were led by OG Anunoby’s 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson had 19 points and seven assists. However, their 18 turnovers proved costly, leading to 34 points for Indiana.
“We did a great job of that,” Haliburton said. “I’m just so proud of this group and I don’t even have words right now.”
The Pacers now turn their attention to the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished with a league-best 68 wins and feature MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game 1 tips off Thursday in Oklahoma City.
“It’s an exciting time, but we understand that there’s a long road ahead, a lot more work to do,” Haliburton said. “We’ve got four more to go.”The Indiana Pacers are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 24 years after defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday. With the win, the Pacers clinched the series 4-2 and earned just their second Finals appearance in franchise history.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 31 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Tyrese Haliburton added a 21-point, 13-assist double-double, shaking off a slow start to power Indiana’s offense.
“You know, we got to the same spot last year, fell short and we just worked our tails off as a group to get back here,” Haliburton said. “It’s been a bumpy road with our start and (I’m) just really proud of the resilience of this group.”
Siakam was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP. “After a bad game five, we wanted to bounce back,” he said. “And I have 100 percent belief in my teammates. Whenever we’re down, we always find a way — and we did that tonight.”
Indiana turned a tight first half into a commanding lead after opening the third quarter with a 9-0 run, eventually outscoring the Knicks 34-23 in the period. Seven Pacers players scored in double figures, including 18 points from Obi Toppin and 11 from Thomas Bryant off the bench. Indiana’s reserves outscored New York’s bench 38-20.
The Knicks, who haven’t been to the Finals since 1999, were led by OG Anunoby’s 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson had 19 points and seven assists. However, their 18 turnovers proved costly, leading to 34 points for Indiana.
“We did a great job of that,” Haliburton said. “I’m just so proud of this group and I don’t even have words right now.”
The Pacers now turn their attention to the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished with a league-best 68 wins and feature MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game 1 tips off Thursday in Oklahoma City.
“It’s an exciting time, but we understand that there’s a long road ahead, a lot more work to do,” Haliburton said. “We’ve got four more to go.”