The Indiana Pacers are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time in a quarter-century, after defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in a thrilling Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

With the Eastern Conference crown on the line, Pascal Siakam delivered a masterclass, pouring in 31 points and earning the Larry Bird Trophy as series MVP. Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and dished out 13 assists, with 11 of those points coming in the high-stakes fourth quarter.

The Pacers now move on to face the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder, with Game 1 of the Finals tipping off Thursday night in OKC.

Stars Shine Bright in Indy

It was a physical battle from the opening tip, but the Pacers found their rhythm in the second half. Siakam’s veteran leadership combined with Haliburton’s dynamic playmaking gave Indiana the edge they needed. Obi Toppin also stepped up with 18 points and 6 rebounds against his former team.

“We weren’t going to let this moment slip away,” said head coach Rick Carlisle, addressing a roaring, gold-clad home crowd. “Pascal and Tyrese carried us, but the job’s not done yet.”

Carlisle, who coached Dallas to the 2011 championship, knows what it takes to win it all. Now, he has a chance to do it again, this time with a hungry Pacers squad.

New York’s Fight Falls Short

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 19, but 17 costly turnovers haunted the Knicks all night.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau admitted the team struggled to stay consistent. “There were moments we defended well, but turnovers killed us,” he said postgame.

The loss extends New York’s NBA Finals drought, which now stretches back to 1999.

A Night to Remember

The atmosphere in Indianapolis was electric. Celebrities including Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, and WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark packed the building. The energy reached a peak in the final minutes when Reggie Miller — Pacers legend and current TNT analyst — handed team owner Herb Simon the Eastern Conference trophy on air, capping off TNT’s final NBA broadcast.

After a tightly contested first half, Indiana opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, followed by a barrage of three-pointers from Thomas Bryant and Andrew Nembhard. Even as the Knicks rallied, the Pacers answered immediately, building a double-digit lead they’d never give up.

Next Stop: The Finals

While fans erupted in celebration, the team’s mindset remains locked in.

“No champagne yet,” Carlisle emphasized. “There’s still one goal left.”

The Pacers are back where they’ve long wanted to be — four wins away from history.