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INDIANAPOLIS – From the outset of the Eastern Conference championship series, Indiana’s coach Rick Carlisle began marking time for his team, counting down not by wins, but by days.
“This is simply Day 1 of a 13-day journey,” Carlisle remarked after the Pacers achieved a thrilling, unexpected overtime victory over the Knicks in the series opener in New York. Two days later, after another win, it was merely “Day 3” in Carlisle’s view.
It seemed as if he was attempting to set expectations for his players, the media, and the Indiana supporters to prevent premature celebrations. A reminder, perhaps, to avoid the dangerous allure of overconfidence that often backfires during challenging NBA playoff matchups.
This strategy appeared to provide a sense of calm for the Pacers, who managed to surprise even themselves in Game 1, dropped Game 3 at home, and faltered in a critical Game 5 Thursday, which was their most disappointing performance of the series.
Ultimately, though, Carlisle’s assessment was incorrect.
The series didn’t stretch to 13 days.
The Pacers wrapped it up in just 11 days, celebrating their triumph on the court late Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They clinched the Eastern Conference title and secured the franchise’s second-ever appearance in the NBA Finals, the first being in 2000, with a commanding 125-108 defeat of the Knicks.
The series offered enough time for Indiana to display its full capabilities in Game 6, but it did not extend long enough to force them to deal with the tensions of a decisive game back at Madison Square Garden.
Nonetheless, the Pacers can expect plenty of challenges when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center for the 2025 Finals starting Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). First, here are five key takeaways from their victory that earned them this opportunity:
Saturday’s outcome was undeniably emblematic of Indiana’s identity. Seven players scored in double digits, with all seven connecting on at least two 3-pointers. In the face of New York’s intense defensive pressure, the Pacers showcased exceptional shooting: 54.1% overall (46-for-85), 51.5% from beyond the arc (17-for-33), and 84.2% (16-for-19) from the free-throw line. They played with urgency, establishing a 23-6 advantage in fast-break points through three quarters, leading 92-77 at that stage.
This brisk pace, coupled with an effective defense, forced 18 turnovers by the Knicks, translating to 34 points for the home team.
Center Myles Turner had a modest game, limited to 21 minutes and 11 points due to foul troubles. Yet, his perspective on the team is unmatched, having joined in 2015 at just 19 years old as the No. 11 overall pick from Texas.
Turner has witnessed the Pacers’ evolution from playoff hopefuls to three consecutive lottery finishes, and now back again. For several of his earlier seasons, he was frequently mentioned in trade talks until the team acquired Tyrese Haliburton in exchange for Turner’s former teammate, Domantas Sabonis.
“When the final buzzer sounded, joy was all I felt,” Turner said Saturday. “All the years, the criticism, the appreciation, and everything in between culminated in that moment.”
He and his teammates take great pride in Indiana’s collective roster, where accolades and accountability are shared equally, referring to the team’s foundation as “the power of friendship.”
“It may not be the flashiest or most glamorous team,” he pointed out, “but it yields results.”
The votes were tight, with the media panel selecting the Most Valuable Player of the Eastern Conference championship series resulting in a 5-4 decision. Pacers forward Pascal Siakam narrowly edged out teammate Haliburton to claim the Larry Bird Trophy after putting up 31 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal, and three blocks in the decisive game.
Haliburton contributed 21 points, six rebounds, 13 assists, three steals, and one block. The agile point guard remains a pivotal figure for Indiana, serving as a key indicator of the team’s performance.
However, Siakam’s contributions proved crucial at the most critical moments. During a sluggish start for the Pacers, he knocked down a 3-pointer to halt New York’s early momentum and executed a layup to bring the score to 12-11. He hit another 3-pointer at the start of the second quarter, finishing the half with a game-high 16 points, pivotal to Indiana’s 58-54 lead.
When Indiana outscored the Knicks 34-23 in a crucial third quarter, Siakam added 10 more points, while Haliburton managed just 1-for-3 during that span, not that it appeared they were competing against each other.
Siakam led the Pacers throughout the series, averaging 24.8 points per game, with shooting percentages of 52.4% overall and 50% from three-point range reflecting their offensive prowess. His mobility and lengthy wingspan allowed him to effectively challenge Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns.
“His versatility makes him a tough cover,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau remarked about Siakam. “He can run the floor, operate in the paint, and penetrate to the basket.”
Siakam, now 31, was the NBA’s Most Improved Player during the 2018-19 season, when he was part of the Toronto Raptors’ championship-winning team. It took him six years to return to the finals, a journey he admits he once took for granted.
Since acquiring him 16 months ago in exchange for three players and three first-round draft picks, the Pacers have reached the conference finals twice and are now just four wins away from the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“When we brought him in here, we envisioned moments like this,” said Haliburton.
Meanwhile, New York’s point guard Jalen Brunson, seasoned enough in the city’s media landscape, offered an easy target for sensational headlines with his postgame remarks.
“It sucks,” Brunson said, providing tabloid fodder. “It’s as simple as that. It sucks.”
And indeed it did. After putting in 18 games of playoff intensity, New York faltered in the second half of Saturday’s game, being outscored 67-54. They never regained the lead after halftime, as Indiana opened the second half with nine quick points.
Given their 18 turnovers, it was almost miraculous that the Knicks managed to take one more shot than the Pacers. If one is to be outscored by 24 points from behind the arc, committing 34 easy points via mistakes or offensive fouls is a significant setback.
“Some of those errors were self-inflicted, while others came from their defensive pressure,” Thibodeau added.
Brunson, who recorded five turnovers along with seven assists, reflected, “I focus on what I can control, and that’s certainly one of them. That’s on me.”
Stepping back to look at the bigger picture, the Knicks’ season had its highlights despite the disappointing final minutes. They overcame an injury-plagued season to finish with 51 wins, their highest total in 12 years. They bolstered their roster just before training camp with Towns while recovering from the losses of Isaiah Hartenstein, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo.
New York triumphed over a resilient Detroit team in the first round and stunned the defending champions from Boston in six games with a pair of impressive 20-point comebacks. They progressed further than last year when they lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“There was a lot of doubt surrounding our capabilities,” Brunson noted. “We faced a lot of negativity regarding what we aimed to achieve. We just kept our focus and kept working.”
Speculation about Thibodeau’s job security, as is customary in New York, may be premature. Concern over the heavy minutes given to Knicks starters never took into account why they remained one of the healthiest teams as the season progressed. Thibodeau has led the Knicks to the playoffs four times in five seasons, a stark contrast to the three playoff appearances made by the nine predecessors in a span of 16 seasons.
Backup center Thomas Bryant had only seen action in three of the series’ first five games, totaling just 22 minutes. Yet, in Game 6, he made an impact with 11 points in 13 minutes, converting three of his four 3-point attempts, grabbing three rebounds, and blocking a shot.
This pattern continues for Bryant. During the previous round against Cleveland, he scored only nine points in 42 minutes across the first four games, but tallied nine AGAIN in just 11 minutes during the decisive Game 5 to help the Pacers secure victory.
Is it that Bryant thrives in elimination games, or do these games become pivotal because he steps up? Let’s not forget, this seasoned 27-year-old, who has played for five different teams, was part of the 2023 Nuggets championship squad.
Siakam remarked, “I told him, the basketball gods reward those who put in the work.”
🗣️ “4 more, that’s all we are worrying about right now.”
A 2023 NBA Champion with Denver… Thomas Bryant is headed back to the Finals 💯🏆pic.twitter.com/PvSB3v8tn0
— NBA (@NBA)June 1, 2025
In Game 6, both Siakam and Turner took hits to the groin from attacking Knicks players and were called for fouls on the plays. However, in the broader context, this might serve as valuable preparation for the physical intensity the Pacers can anticipate against the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City is known for its aggressive and suffocating defense, a style that challenges opponents competitively and mentally, often blurring the lines for the referees. Indiana just showcased its offensive capabilities, playing with speed, attacking the paint and beyond, and consistently pushing its scores past 110 points (boasting an 11-0 playoff record when doing so, along with a 52-23 record in the regular season).
This Finals matchup presents a compelling contrast between offense and defense, though it may lack a significant television market for those focused on ratings. However, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to it without worrying about whether others are tuning in. If some neighbors miss the action, that’s their loss.
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Steve Aschburner has covered the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, view his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
