'Just unbelievable' – Pascal Siakam gives candid reaction after winning 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP as Indiana Pacers punch ticket to the NBA Finals
Pascal Siakam. Image via: AJ Mast/ AP
Pascal Siakam added another chapter to his postseason legacy Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. The veteran forward was named the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP after helping the Pacers close out the New York Knicks in six games.
Siakam powered Indiana to a 125-108 win in Game 6 with a game-high 31 points, putting the finishing touch on a breakout series that saw him dominate both ends of the floor.
Pascal Siakam steps up as the Indiana Pacers eliminated the New York Knicks
The Larry Bird Trophy found a deserving home in Pascal Siakam's hands after a standout performance. Siakam averaged 24.8 points over the six-game series, shooting 52.4 percent from the field. His 39-point explosion in Game 2 stood out as a high mark, but it was his 31-point effort in the Game 6 clincher that sealed both the win and his MVP nod.
'mvP. Pascal Siakam has been named Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the recipient of the Larry Bird Trophy,' Indiana Pacers posted a tribute for their veteran.
This moment marks a full-circle journey for Siakam, who helped the Toronto Raptors win the title in 2019. While Kawhi Leonard took home MVP honors that year, Siakam now owns one of his own.
"Shoutout Indy, man. It's been such an amazing experience for me so far.
From the first day I landed here, the love has been amazing. Just unbelievable, man. First-class organization. I'm just so happy to be here. And tonight, after a bad Game 5, we wanted to bounce back. I have, like, 100% belief in my teammates. Whenever we're down, we always find a way. And we did that tonight, Siakam said on the TNT broadcast after he received the award.
The MVP voting reflected just how close this Pacers team has been.
Siakam edged out teammate Tyrese Haliburton in a 5-4 media vote split. Siakam earned support from reporters, including Tim Bontemps (ESPN) and Fred Katz (The Athletic), while Haliburton picked up votes from Reggie Miller (TNT) and Joe Vardon (The Athletic).
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Now, with the Pacers headed to Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, Siakam is locked in once again. He enters the series with the third-best odds to win Finals MVP, behind only Haliburton and Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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