Charles Barkley Issues Serious Warning to Pacers on Saturday
Charles Barkley Issues Serious Warning to Pacers on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Pacers are playing in the most important game of their season thus far on Saturday night. They host the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals up 3-2 in the series and just one win away from booking their spot in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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At the same time, however, a loss for Indiana will mark their second straight defeat in this series, and will allow the Knicks to force a Game 7 in Madison Square Garden on Monday.
According to NBA on TNT's Charles Barkley, that's the last thing the Pacers want right now. In fact, the Hall of Fame has implied that Game 6 is a must-win contest for Indiana.
"They better play with desperation tonight because If they do not win this game, they got an (expletive)-kickin' coming Monday night," Barkley said ahead of tip off on Saturday.
There's no denying that the Pacers are in the driver's seat in Game 6, especially considering how they're playing in front of a capacity home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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This will be their first opportunity to close this series out at home after losing Game 5 in MSG on Thursday.
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton vs. the New York Knicks.© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Knicks, however, have momentum on their side after their 111-94 victory in Game 5, and they firmly believe that they are capable of winning this series despite going down 1-3 after Game 4.
Everything will be on the line for both teams on Saturday night, but as Barkley implied, he is adamant that the pressure is on the Pacers to close this one out.
Related: Jalen Brunson Holds Back to Avoid Live TV Disagreement With Charles Barkley
Related: Tyrese Haliburton Calls Out Charles Barkley on Live TV: 'You're Too Old...'
Related: Charles Barkley Makes Serious Plea to Adam Silver Over Pacers Punishment
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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