The Indiana Pacers got a boost before the start of Game 6 with the news that Tyrese Haliburton would start and play after injuring his calf in Game 5. But the Pacers started 0-of-8 from the field with Haliburton missing his first four shots while the Thunder shot 5-of-9 with all 10 points coming in the paint.
Despite the early struggles, the Pacers did what they’ve done all playoffs, grind and come back, eventually taking a 15-12 lead. The ball movement was excellent while the shot making by Andrew Nembhard was sublime for Indiana.
The lead swelled to 24-17 as Obi Toppin drained a couple of treys while Haliburton finally made a shot, a three-pointer. After starting the game 0-of-8, the Pacers then drained 8-of-10.
The score was 28-20 in favor of Indiana, when the MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, started cooking: 16-foot step back J, free throw and layup to close out the quarter.
IND 28 – OKC 25 after one quarter. Indiana did not turn the ball over once.
The second quarter began with both teams exchanging buckets, then T. J. McConnell said it was T. J. McConnell time, scoring eight points and getting a steal, helping push the lead to 41-33.
The Pacers defense continued to pester the Thunder offense while there was a lot of splashing going on at the offensive end to extend the lead to 13 points.
Haliburton was great down the stretch, notching a steal and hitting some deep threes while Pascal Siakam made some huge shots to send Indiana into halftime with the 64-42 lead.
At halftime, Indiana attempted 13 more shots and converted six more. Indiana was 9-of-24 from downtown while OKC was 1-of-11. Indiana had 10 more assists, eight more steals and turned the ball only twice, compared to 12 for the Thunder. Indiana scored 16 points off the 12 turnovers.
To start the third quarter, a brick fest ensued. The first points came with 8:07 left on a Haliburton give-and-go layup.
More bricks from OKC followed while Indiana kept tickling the twine to extend the lead to 28 points.
Mark Daigneault waved the white flag early in the fourth quarter, inserting the bench and resting his main pieces for Sunday’s Game 7.
Final Score: IND 108 – OKC 91
Indiana finished with 18 more shot attempts and seven more makes. Indiana went 15-of-42 from beyond the arc while OKC was 8-of-30. Indiana had five more rebounds, nine more assists, 12 more steals, 11 more fastbreak points and 11 fewer turnovers.
Pascal Siakam ($10,200; 40.25 FPTS) was masterful once again, finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a block in 32 minutes. He shot 6-of-14 from the field, 1-of-3 from downtown and 3-of-3 from the line.
T. J. McConnell ($5,000; 38.75 FPTS) went for 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in 24 minutes.
Obi Toppin ($5,600; 33 FPTS) made it rain from downtown, converting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also drained 4-of-6 from the line. Toppin finished with 20 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Andrew Nembhard ($6,000; 30 FPTS) put up 17 points, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes.
Tyrese Haliburton ($10,600; 27.75 FPTS) only played 23 minutes, but that was primarily due to the blowout in the second half. He had 14 points, a rebound, five assists and two steals.
For the Thunder, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($14,200; 25 FPTS) played over 30 minutes. He finished with 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. He shot 7-of-15 from the field, 0-of-1 from downtown and 7-of-8 from the line. SGA also had eight turnovers.
Game 5 hero, Jalen Williams ($10,800; 19.75 FPTS) had 16 points, three rebounds and an assist. He shot 6-of-13 from the field, 0-of-4 from downtown and 4-of-5 from the line. He was a -40 on the night.
Game 7 is Sunday in Oklahoma City.
