For the first time in nine years, the NBA Finals have reached a Game 7. With the victory of the Indiana Pacers this Thursday, June 19 at the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the series was sealed 3-3 and will now define the champion next Sunday, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, at 19:00 (00:00 GMT Monday).
In recent history, the last title decided in seven games occurred in 2016, when LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the upset in a historic comeback win over the Golden State Warriors, making them the first team in history to reverse a 3-1 Finals lead.
The ring will be defined in the seventh game
Previously, the Miami Heat repeated the feat against the San Antonio Spurs in 2013, and the Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals.
This will be the 20th time that an NBA title has been decided in a seventh game, underlining the uniqueness of such an evenly matched final.
This time around, the Thunder dominate the home Finals record by a game 7 with a 15-4 record, giving them statistical backing in front of a fan base hungry for their first title under the Oklahoma City name.
The series has been a roller coaster ride
PACERS BASKETBALL.
IT’S INCREDIBLE. https://t.co/MNT3QrwpDo pic.twitter.com/t19RJrgJSy
– NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025
Although at the Pacers’ home, the Paycom Center, the hosts have looked impressive throughout the postseason (35-6 in the regular season and 10-2 in the playoffs at that venue), their performance in Game 6 was poor, allowing Indiana to even the series.
Oklahoma already had experience winning a Game 7 this season: in a Western Semifinal split, they beat the Denver Nuggets 125-93.
For their part, the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, have earned a reputation for resilience and epic comebacks.
Now they are looking to crown that streak with the first NBA ring in franchise history, after winning three championships in the defunct ABA in the 1970s.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are also seeking their first championship as the home of the franchise, although the team previously won the title in 1979 as the Seattle Supersonics.
Both teams seek to break their history
This duality adds drama to the Finals: both teams are looking to break with their own history – Indiana to open, Oklahoma City to rise again.
Game 7 will be a strategic battle between two smart coaches: Rick Carlisle (Pacers) and Mark Daigneault (Thunder).
His decisions, rotations and reading of the game will be key.
We’ll have to watch how they handle their respective stars: Haliburton and company for Pacers; Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and a solid physical backup for the Thunder.
For the U.S. Hispanic community, these Finals represent a mix of drama, hope and sporting struggle.
Game 7 promises a thrilling outcome that, in addition to consecrating a new champion, will reinforce the NBA’s presence in the region’s sports narrative.
