Indiana Pacers reach NBA finals as drought extends to 26 years for New York Knicks
Pascal Siakam scored 31 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 13 assists, and the Indiana Pacers pulled away for a 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in game six to reach the NBA finals for the second time in franchise history.
Obi Toppin added 18 points and six rebounds against his former team as the gold-clad crowd gave the starters a roaring ovation when they departed with 47.2 seconds left.
Indiana will visit Oklahoma City for game one on Friday (AEST).
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Tyrese Haliburton celebrates with the Bob Cousy Trophy. Getty
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points.
New York still have not reached the finals since 1999 and they couldn't extend the series in a game that was tough and physical right from the start.
Whether it was Towns limping after drawing a foul or Haliburton holding his jaw when he took a shot that knocked him to the ground, the tone was set early — and never really changed with so much at stake.
Indiana finally broke open a close game by opening the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 78-63 lead courtesy of three straight three-pointers.
The run ignited the crowd, which included everyone from Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to WNBA star Caitlin Clark to Timothee Chalamet to Kylie Jenner.
Caitlin Clark in the crowd supporting the Pacers. Getty
But when the Knicks answered with eight straight to cut the deficit to 78-71, the Pacers responded with another 9-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game and the Knicks were forced to play catch-up the rest of the night.
Pacers star and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, who was on the 1999-2000 Pacers team that made the finals, served as the colour analyst for TNT's final broadcast.
New York were trying to become the 14th team in league history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. The franchise haven't won a title since 1973.
