Tyrese Haliburton delivered a clutch mid-range jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining to cap an improbable comeback as the "Indiana Pacers" shocked the "Oklahoma City Thunder" 111-110 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
"We keep believing, we stay together, it's not over until the clock hits zero, we keep pushing. I'm really proud of this group," Haliburton said immediately after the game, still riding the emotional high of his game-winning moment.
The shot marked the first time the Pacers led in the entire contest, overcoming a 15-point deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining against the league's top-ranked defense. For Haliburton – labeled "overrated" by some fellow players – it was his fourth game-deciding shot of these playoffs.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated most of the night with 38 points on 14-of-30 shooting, but his mid-range attempt in the final seconds bounced off the rim, setting the stage for Haliburton's heroics.
Interestingly, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle opted not to call timeout before the final sequence, trusting his players to make the right play in transition. "The coach trusts us in these moments, doesn't call timeout, the coach trusts me, the guys trust me, I try to make the play," explained Haliburton, who finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists.
The Thunder appeared in complete control for most of the night, leading 57-45 at halftime and forcing 24 Pacers turnovers. But Indiana gradually chipped away at the lead with Pascal Siakam contributing 19 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial offensive rebound and putback that cut the deficit to 110-109 with 24 seconds left.
Myles Turner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, while Obi Toppin provided a spark off the bench with 17 points, connecting on 5 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.
Perhaps the unsung hero was Andrew Nembhard, who not only scored 14 points but played tenacious defense on Gilgeous-Alexander down the stretch. In a rare display of frustration, the usually composed SGA even took a swipe at his Canadian national team colleague after a foul call.
Despite Oklahoma City's stellar defensive effort, they managed only 13 assists as a team compared to Indiana's 24, becoming overly reliant on Gilgeous-Alexander's isolation scoring late in the game. Chet Holmgren was particularly ineffective, scoring just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting.
The Pacers' ability to find cracks in the Thunder's vaunted defense – especially with McConnell's dribble penetration from the corners and quick interior passing to Siakam and Toppin – ultimately proved decisive. Their 18-for-39 shooting from three-point range helped overcome their turnover problems.
Can the Thunder bounce back from this devastating loss? They remain favorites in the series, but surrendering home-court advantage to a Pacers team that thrives on belief and resilience might prove costly in what's shaping up to be a fascinating NBA Finals matchup.
