The Indiana Pacers twice found themselves ahead in the NBA Finals series after wins in Game 1 and Game 3. But following Oklahoma City’s victory in Game 5, the Thunder have now taken their first lead in the series. With the series now at 3-2 in OKC’s favor, the Pacers are staring down the brink of elimination. They are just one loss away from seeing their championship hopes vanish.
Thursday’s game has quickly become a do-or-die scenario for Tyrese Haliburton and his squad. With the stakes sky-high, the Pacers tried to show confidence and rally momentum by unveiling a special hat.
However, the newly released hat isn’t for Game 6; rather, it’s a Game 7 design in bold black and yellow. The release suggests the Pacers are counting on pushing the series to a final showdown.
The GAME 7 Brand already made Pacers hats for Sunday 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/BX2dc9DbZ5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2025
The Pacers’ optimism may see challenges after unfortunate injury news. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Tyrese Haliburton is believed to have suffered a strained right calf. He is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. If the results confirm a serious strain, Haliburton may miss one or both of the remaining Finals games.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have surged into a dominant position, with their stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Pascal Siakam performing at an elite level. The young supporting cast around them has been consistent and effective, giving Oklahoma City a real chance to close the series out in Game 6.
NBA Fans Mock The Indiana Pacers After Game 7 Hats Surface Before Crucial Game 6 Showdown
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Against this backdrop, Indiana’s release of Game 7 hats is being seen by many as a bold, if not overly optimistic, move. Fans across social media were quick to mock the Pacers for jumping the gun.
One fan brought up a painful reminder, writing, “Knicks did this and lost!!” in reference to New York’s similar confidence in the Conference Finals that didn’t pan out.
Knicks did this and lost!!
— Dustin W Scales (@thedustinscales) June 18, 2025
Another added, “That’s how you know they’re about to lose game 6.”
That’s how you know they’re about to lose game 6
— Jerm (@IamJerm24) June 18, 2025
Sarcasm was heavy in the comment sections as one user posted, “All this just to lose by 30 tmrw.”
All this just to lose by 30 tmrw
— Lemyles17 (@lemyles17) June 18, 2025
One fan added, “Game 7 energy before Game 6? Elite delusion.”
game 7 energy before game 6? elite delusion 💀
— Galaxy.ai (@galaxyai__) June 18, 2025
“Wasting money,” one comment read.
Wasting money
— Cuяt Williams (@Curt_Will_) June 18, 2025
The clock now ticks down to Thursday’s high-stakes clash. But amid this, Indiana’s Game 7 hat has become more of a punchline than a power move.
