NBA News: A. Smith predicts that Game 7 of the Finals will be a "thrilling" game

Stephen A. Smith predicts that the seventh game of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Thunder will be a "thrilling" game with a close and unpredictable victory or defeat. The 2025 NBA Finals will end in Game 7 for the first time in nearly a decade, with the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder coming in a decisive showdown Sunday night. The Pacers will return to Oklahoma City's Paycom Center after winning the 108-91 landslide in Game 6 Thursday.

Before this winner-for-all final, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith made a bold prediction on Friday's First Take show, saying the upcoming game is likely to be a "thrilling game" and highlighting the pressure both teams will face in the final stages.

"I think the seventh game will be a thrilling game," Smith said. "I don't think this game will be a big win. The game will be a stalemate."

Smith listed the Oklahoma City Thunder's unstable performance early in the series, including their 15-point lead in Game 1, and admitted that they often made mistakes on the offensive end throughout the playoffs. However, he praised the Thunder for using high-intensity defense to disrupt opponents. He also praised Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle for the necessary adjustments made in the fourth quarter to organize the offense and push the game into a stalemate.

"This situation ultimately depends on the ball in the hands of the likes of [Shay Gilgers-Alexander] and Halliburton," Smith added. "I think the fourth quarter will be very stalemate." Stephen A. Smith warned the Pacers and Thunder's Game 7 of chasing the first NBA championship will be stressful

Smith reiterated his confidence in Oklahoma City's ability to win in the end, but emphasized the unpredictability of such high-stakes moments, especially for younger teams. He described the seventh game as a severe test, with the pressure suddenly increasing and the room for fault tolerance became minimal.

"This is the seventh game of the NBA Finals, and the championship is in danger," Smith said. "Even the slightest mistake can make you lose everything."

The last NBA Finals Game 7 took place in 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers historic 3-1 reversal over the 73-win Golden State Warriors. Sunday's game was the first time the Pacers and Thunder advanced to the Finals Game 7 since the team moved from Seattle to New Orleans. The Pacers’ Game 6 victory was a response to a disappointing performance in Game 5, with Tyres Halliburton doing well when he was unable to confirm whether he could play with his right calf strain. Halliburton played for 23 minutes, scoring 14 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, plus or negative value +25. The Pacers were led by Obi Topin, who came out of the bench to score 20 points on 6 of 12 shots, including four three-pointers.

The Thunder were led by NBA Most Valuable Player Shea Gilgers-Alexander in 2024-25, but in Game 6, they performed poorly on the offensive end. Gilgers Alexander scored 21 points but made eight turnovers, setting a playoff high. The Thunder's shooting percentage was only 41.3%, with 21 turnovers.

Currently, the series draws 3-3, and the two teams are only one step away from winning the NBA championship for the first time. Game 7 of the NBA Finals will start at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday and will be broadcast on ABC TV.