Pacers rout Thunder, force first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016

Perhaps it was only appropriate that an NBA postseason no one would have predicted could not end without yet another plot twist

Perhaps it was only appropriate that an NBA postseason no one would have predicted could not end without yet another plot twist.

Despite star point guard Tyrese Haliburton’s playing with a calf injury, the Indiana Pacers staved off elimination Thursday to win Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 108-91, and push the best-of-seven series against Oklahoma City to its limit.

For the first time since 2016, the Finals are going to a seventh and final game.

Game 7 is Sunday in Oklahoma City. It became necessary after Indiana’s 3-point shooting quickly dug Indiana out of an early 10-2 hole in the first quarter; its signature up-tempo pace and tireless reserves blew open the game and turned this series back into a coin flip.

“The way I see it is we sucked tonight," said Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 21 points. "We have to learn the lessons and we have one game for everything we worked for. The better team on Sunday will win."