Angelica Ciulla •June 20, 2025 10:45 AM EDT

Angelica Ciulla • June 20, 2025 10:45 AM EDT Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder Battle it out for Game 7. Who will come out as the 2025 NBA Champion?

NBA Finals 2025: Game 7 Preview- A Clash for the Ages

It all comes down to this — Game 7 of the NBA 2025 Finals is upon us. After a hard-fought series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both teams are just one win away from securing the championship. We’ve witnessed standout performances, missed opportunities, and momentum swings that have made this Finals series one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

In Game 6, the Pacers delivered their most cohesive performance since Game 1, executing on both ends of the court with impressive chemistry. Indiana capitalized on Oklahoma City’s sloppy ball handling, turning turnovers into critical points that shifted the game’s momentum. On the other hand, Game 5 told a different story, with OKC dominating Indiana, a game in which Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton was held scoreless until the third quarter and failed to make an impact in the fourth.

For Game 7, both teams will need key players to rise to the occasion. Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith, who averages 43% in 3pt shooting and 50% in Field goals during the regular season, has averaged just 10.5 points per game in the playoffs. If the Pacers hope to silence the crowd at Paycom Center and walk away with the trophy, they’ll need Nesmith to find his rhythm.

On the Thunder’s side, small forward Jalen Williams exploded in Game 5 with a career playoff high of 40 points, but faltered in Game 6, putting up only 16 points and recording the lowest plus-minus in NBA Finals history. OKC will need him to bounce back strong if they want to finish what they started.

Defensively, both teams have brought intensity, applying pressure in the paint, forcing turnovers, and disrupting offensive flow. However, the series has also been plagued by unforced errors: traveling violations, double dribbles, missed rebounds, and poor passes have all contributed to unpredictable shifts in momentum.

This has also been one of the most foul-heavy Finals in recent history. With 207 fouls called through six games, including a staggering 53 in Game 4 alone, which led to 71 free throw attempts, officiating and composure at the line may once again play a major role in deciding the outcome.

Looking ahead to Sunday, expect both teams to come out firing. The stakes are at their peak, and fans should be prepared for a high-energy battle filled with aggressive defense, clutch performances, and, if the series trend continues, plenty of whistles.

Game 7 promises to be a memorable finish to a wild and unpredictable series, and NBA fans everywhere are in for a treat.

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Angelica Ciulla

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