Tyrese Haliburton made sure that Oklahoma City Thunder fans would have nightmares after his game-winning shot in the final second of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. With a dramatic 111-110 victory, Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to an incredible comeback victory, a win that was as unexpected as it was thrilling.
The Pacers, down by as much as 15 points with just under 10 minutes remaining, completed two separate 12-2 runs in the fourth quarter to steal the win.
The Final Moment: Haliburton Shines Again
As has been the case in previous playoff rounds against teams like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York, Haliburton was the difference-maker. With 11 seconds left, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had played an MVP-worthy game with 38 points, missed a crucial shot that could have iced the game for the Thunder. Haliburton grabbed the rebound near half-court, drove to his right, and hit a contested jump shot to give the Pacers their first lead of the game with just .3 seconds left on the clock.
“We got the stop, and coach trusts us in those moments… I’m just trying to make a play. Man, basketball is fun, winning is fun,” Haliburton said after the game.
The shot was nothing short of stunning. Despite the Thunder’s best efforts to close out the game, Indiana’s ability to hang around and strike when the opportunity arose made all the difference. In a series full of ups and downs, Haliburton’s play took the Pacers’ first Finals game from certain defeat to unforgettable triumph.
Oklahoma City’s Strong Start
From the very beginning, the Thunder appeared poised to take control of the game. Oklahoma City’s suffocating defense was evident early on, forcing the Pacers into nine turnovers in the first quarter alone. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was stellar, scoring 12 points in the opening period, and the Thunder led by 10 points after the first quarter.
The Thunder continued to dominate through the second quarter, pushing their lead to 12 points by halftime, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 19 points. However, despite being outplayed for much of the first half, the Pacers managed to stay within striking distance, aided by Pascal Siakam and a solid effort from TJ McConnell off the bench.
Pacers Keep Answering OKC’s Punches
Throughout the game, every time the Thunder appeared to be ready to break the game open, the Pacers had an answer. The Pacers continued to battle, even when their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, was largely quiet in the first half. Despite 19 turnovers by Indiana, which the Thunder capitalized on with four turnovers, the Pacers remained competitive by keeping the shooting numbers in check, forcing the Thunder into a shooting slump.
A 10-3 Pacers run at the start of the third quarter helped to cut into the Thunder’s lead. However, a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander as the third quarter ended rebuilt the lead to nine points for Oklahoma City.
Pacers’ Impressive Fourth-Quarter Fightback
As the final quarter began, the Pacers refused to back down. Myles Turner and Obi Toppin hit three-pointers to reduce the Thunder’s lead to just four points with six minutes remaining. A few clutch plays, including a driving layup from Haliburton and another big shot from Toppin, gave the Pacers momentum.
With the game tied at 108-105, Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a tough layup in the paint, giving the Thunder a six-point cushion. But just when the game looked to be slipping away, the Pacers’ resilience shone through. After a missed shot from Haliburton, Gilgeous-Alexander missed a shot of his own, and Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard capitalized, bringing the Pacers back to a one-possession game.
The Game-Winning Shot
In the final moments, with the Thunder holding a 110-109 lead, Oklahoma City’s defense couldn’t stop Haliburton. With just .3 seconds left on the clock, Haliburton hit the game-winning 21-foot shot, giving the Pacers a shocking 111-110 victory. The Thunder tried to respond, but their last attempt came up short as time expired.
A Game Full of Drama
This game was an absolute rollercoaster, filled with moments of brilliance and heartbreak for both teams. While Oklahoma City had control for much of the game, the Pacers displayed their trademark resilience, never giving up and seizing the opportunity when it mattered most.
