Tyrese Haliburton hit a dramatic mid-range jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining to give the "Indiana Pacers" a stunning 111-110 victory over the "Oklahoma City Thunder" in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The clutch shot capped an improbable comeback that saw the Pacers erase a 15-point deficit with less than 10 minutes to play.
"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," said an elated Haliburton immediately after the game.
The game-winner marked the fourth decisive shot for Haliburton in these playoffs, further silencing critics who, according to the article, have labeled him the most overrated player in the NBA among his peers.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated much of the contest with 38 points on 14-for-30 shooting, it was Haliburton's moment of brilliance that ultimately decided the outcome. SGA had a chance to seal the win for Oklahoma City but missed a mid-range attempt with 11 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Haliburton's heroics.
Interestingly, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle opted not to call a timeout before the final possession, instead trusting his point guard to create in the flow of the game. "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. Basketball is fun, winning is fun," Haliburton explained.
The Pacers' resilience was particularly impressive considering they committed 24 turnovers against the league's top-ranked defense. They trailed 57-45 at halftime before Carlisle made key adjustments, emphasizing more aggressive attacks toward the paint.
Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial putback with 24 seconds left that pulled Indiana within one at 110-109. Myles Turner scored 19 points with 11 coming in the fourth quarter, while Obi Toppin added 17 points off the bench, connecting on 5 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.
By the way, the Thunder's defensive specialist Andrew Nembhard deserves significant credit for his 14 points and tenacious defense on Gilgeous-Alexander, particularly in forcing the miss on OKC's final offensive possession. The defensive effort was particularly notable as it came against his Canadian national team teammate.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Thunder received solid contributions from Jaylen Williams (17 points) and Lu Dort (15 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting), though center Chet Holmgren struggled with just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting.
The Pacers' victory continues their pattern of improbable comebacks in these playoffs. They had already overcome three separate deficits of 7+ points in the final minute of games earlier in the postseason.
Can Oklahoma City bounce back from this devastating defeat? Game 2 will surely test their mental fortitude after watching a seemingly secure victory slip away in the most dramatic fashion possible.
