NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 19, 2025

Pascal Siakam

Indiana Pacers

Game 6: Postgame

Indiana Pacers 108, Oklahoma City Thunder 91

Q. Pascal, what do you feel like was the biggest key for you guys reducing the number of turnovers tonight, especially after that was an issue in Game 5?

PASCAL SIAKAM: We've just got to be strong with the ball. Obviously, we know how disruptive they are. Yeah, it's tough because they are so good defensively, but we've got to -- we've just got to be strong with the ball, two hands, and yeah, just take care of it.

Q. What does it take to force a Game 7 and what does it take to win a Game 7? You've been in both situations before in your career.

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think at this point of the year, I mean, it's all about hard play. We've played each other enough now, where it's like, it's pretty much -- I mean, I don't think there are any secrets out there when we play.

I think it's just about who wants it more, like just playing hard, and leaving it all out there on the floor and living with the results. I think that's all you can really say. In a case where if you lose, you go home, or if you force a Game 7 and then you get to Game 7, it's like, you lose or you go home. It's one game for everything.

I think at that point, it's just about hard play and, again, sacrificing everything. We've worked so hard for this opportunity, and you're privileged enough to get it at the highest, you know, level ever. You know, it's just a blessing. We're fortunate to be here.

I just always remember the times where I had to go on vacation early. You know, like those things always play in my mind. So be appreciative of the fact that we're still here, and we have a great opportunity.

So it's just going to be all about hard play, like I said, and just understanding what's front of us and going out there and leaving it all out there on the floor.

Q. How much did it mean to see all the sacrifices that Tyrese made to be in the game for the group?

PASCAL SIAKAM: He's a tough kid. I had no doubt that he was going to be out there with us. It just shows he's one of our leaders on the team and he's doing everything he can to be out there for us, and we appreciate that.

Q. I'm sure you guys came into the series with a healthy amount of confidence but feels like you guys have grown in it as this series has gone on and as you've gotten a hold of this. Am I reading that correctly?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think that's just always been us. I don't think that changed. We continue to be us no matter what, and I think that's what makes us who we are.

Q. When you came here, what did you know? Why did you know that this team could be on this stage, could contend, and possibly win an NBA championship, when a lot of people probably thought they were just like a middle of the pack, whatever?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think for me, I just love everything about the team. Play fast. It's team ball. I think in this day and age, you've seen how a collective can do, and for me, just to add someone that was dynamic, I just thought I could help. Like offensively, I could help defensively, and that was what was attractive, the style of play, and the fact that you add somebody that's open, for sure, to new things, and then also just like having that opportunity to also get that versatility on defense and on offense.

So that's why it’s been good for me. When I saw that, I was attracted.

Q. You guys flipped the turnover battle from Game 5 to Game 6 pretty dramatically. What did you like what you did better on both ends, causing turnovers and committing fewer?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Somebody already asked me that, you're late [laughter] but I'll repeat it again for you.

I just thought, again, we were at least a little bit stronger with the ball. Obviously, we are not a team that really turns the ball over but when you play against a defense like they do that really disrupts you.

Just the key is two hands on the ball, like the most basic stuff. You know, just make the pass, the easy pass usually, not try to complicate it, and I think that's the most important.

Q. That dunk you had at the end of the first half, before that big shot that helped get the crowd back into it, how are you able to do both of those things and put even more pressure on the Thunder?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Chad, he showed one of my college highlights the other day, felt like college a little bit. Just baby bounce.

But sometimes that happens. I was just trying to bring the crowd into the game. They were amazing, by the way, like shout out Gainbridge, like that place was rocking. The support that they have given us all year has just been so amazing. I'm super blessed to be a part of this, and when we are out there, we just want to do everything that we can for them just because they give us so much support from the beginning of the year, and we just want to do it for them.

Q. You mentioned making sacrifices and being grateful for the moment, at this stage of your career, what allows you to maintain that character and be grateful for these moments?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think just my family, they keep me pretty grounded, no matter what's happening out there, they keep me pretty even-keel, just because, yeah, I'm still a little brother to everyone.

Just having their support, it just means everything to me, and I just -- to me, like every time I go out there on the floor, just playing for them, playing for my dad, people that mean so much to me and the support that they give me just pushes me to do things that are usually unthinkable, that I don't really think I could do.

I'm just so blessed, blessed to be here, and my family is everything to me. They definitely keep me in check but also help me achieve what I'm achieving right now.