Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam has been awarded the Eastern Conference Finals MVP after playing a pivotal role in his team`s victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday, which secured their spot in the NBA Finals. Siakam was the leading scorer in the deciding Game 6, contributing 31 points to the 125-108 win. This impressive performance marked the third time in the series he scored 30 or more points against the Knicks.
Siakam truly elevated his scoring output during the conference finals. His 39-point effort in Game 2 was his highest individual scoring game of the season, significantly exceeding his regular-season average of 20.2 points per contest. Across the six games of the series, he maintained a strong average of 24.8 points.
Receiving the award, Siakam shared his feelings on the TNT broadcast, saying, `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.`
Since joining the Indiana franchise from the Toronto Raptors during the 2023-24 season, Siakam has successfully met the high expectations placed upon him. He extended his streak of seasons averaging over 20 points to eight consecutive years, while also contributing 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game during the regular season. This year also signified a return to his All-Star level of play, an honor he missed during his transitional period between the Raptors and Pacers.
The Pacers effectively bounced back from their Game 5 loss to secure a 4-2 series win and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since the year 2000. Their upcoming opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder, navigated through the Western Conference bracket following a dominant 68-win regular season and are anticipated to be their most challenging playoff matchup yet.
This will be Siakam`s second appearance in the NBA Finals. His first was with the Raptors in 2019, where he helped secure a championship, capping off what was considered his breakout season. That year, Siakam also earned the Most Improved Player award and achieved a double-double in the championship-clinching game.
Jasper Hawthorne