It all comes down to this: Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, with the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Indiana Pacers in what could be a history-making night for either franchise. One team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time, and the other will be left asking “What if?” for the rest of the summer.
Game 6 ended in a flat-out embarrassment for the Thunder, falling 108-91 on the road and trailing by as many as 31 points. They were outworked, out-hustled, and outsmarted. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked more human than a superstar, committing mistakes, getting swarmed by double teams, and often holding the ball a beat too long. “We just have to bring what we’ve brought to the table all year,” the MVP said post-game. “Bring out best.”
But despite the brutal performance in Game 6, which saw SGA tally a playoff-low 21 points alongside eight turnovers, tied for the most in his postseason career, tonight he will be on the floor in the biggest game of his life. So, before tip-off, one big question that has fans holding their breath is whether SGA will play tonight. Well, as per the injury reports, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be on court injury-free, ready for the Thunder’s comeback to win it all.
Feb 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) smiles after scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
And not just the captain, but his entire OKC crew will be joining him on the paint. However, Nikola Topic, the Thunder rookie, will be missing this game after being out for most of the season due to a knee injury. But this Thunder team has been almost unbeatable at home all playoffs long, winning 10 of their 11 games. And with the Chesapeake Energy Arena set to explode with noise, SGA has to be elite tonight. This is not just another game. This is for legacy, for glory, for a championship banner.
So let us now take a look at the projected starting lineups for tonight.
OKC vs the Pacers: Who will make history tonight?
There is no more “next game”. No more excuses. No more corrections. It’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the first time the Finals have gone the distance since 2016. “It’s a privilege to play in Game 7s,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “It’s a privilege to play in the Finals.” The stakes are enormous. For the Thunder, it is a chance to cap off a dream season with their first-ever NBA title. For the Pacers, it would be one of the most improbable championship runs in modern league history.
OKC with its league-best 68 wins, its defensive juggernaut of a system, and its 40-1 record against the East. SGA has scored over 30 in four of the six games, though his eight-turnover Game 6 was a stunner. Jalen Williams recorded 40 points in Game 5, leaving everyone to say maybe Game 6 was just a bad night. But this time, they cannot afford misses, so here’s what to expect from the Thunder starting lineup:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Ajay Mitchell
Alex Caruso
Nikola Topic (OUT)
SG
Cason Wallace
Alex Caruso
Isaiah Joe
Luguentz Dort
Aaron Wiggins
SF
Luguentz Dort
Isaiah Joe
Jalen Williams
Aaron Wiggins
Alex Caruso
PF
Jalen Williams
Aaron Wiggins
Kenrich Williams
Chet Holmgren
Dillon Jones
C
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Jaylin Williams
Kenrich Williams
Ousmane Dieng
Meanwhile, in the other locker room, Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable with a nagging calf strain, but is expected to play. Along with Obi Toppin, who poured in twenty points off the bench in Game 6. Haliburton said, “What happened in the past doesn’t matter…It’s all about one game.” The Pacers are chasing history as one of the biggest underdog champions ever. So, let us see what their starting lineup could look like:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Tyrese Haliburton
T.J. McConnell
Andrew Nembhard
Ben Sheppard
RayJ Dennis
SG
Andrew Nembhard
Ben Sheppard
Bennedict Mathurin
Johnny Furphy
Tyrese Haliburton
SF
Aaron Nesmith
Bennedict Mathurin
Jarace Walker (OUT)
Johnny Furphy
Ben Sheppard
PF
Pascal Siakam
Obi Toppin
Jarace Walker (OUT)
Aaron Nesmith
James Johnson
C
Myles Turner
Thomas Bryant
Tony Bradley
Obi Toppin
Pascal Siakam
This isn’t just basketball, this is winner-take-all, do or die, one shot at greatness. One team will be celebrating under the confetti. One team will walk off what could have been. So, for which team will you be cheering for?
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