Tyrese Haliburton’s Last-Second Heroics Propel Pacers Past Thunder in Thrilling NBA Finals Game 1!

The Indiana Pacers pulled off a nail-biter in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-110. Despite trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter, they managed to execute a fantastic comeback. Tyrese Haliburton sank a last-second jumper, giving the Pacers their first lead of the game with just 0.3 seconds remaining.

Throughout the match, the Thunder held the upper hand, forcing 19 turnovers from the Pacers in the first half. Haliburton ended the night with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists but has been pivotal in the Pacers’ late-game heroics throughout the playoffs. This latest victory adds to their surprising wins against top teams like the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks.

Pascal Siakam led with 19 points, while Obi Toppin contributed 17 points off the bench with five made three-pointers. The Thunder, favored to win by 9.5 points, had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading their scoring with 38 points but fell short in the closing minutes.

This thrilling victory follows a trend in the Pacers’ playoff journey, showcasing their resilience and teamwork. Josh Rosenfeld, a sports analyst, notes that such comebacks can be a game-changer for a team’s morale and confidence. He points to stats showing that teams that win close games often perform better in subsequent matches.

Historically, the Pacers’ impressive playoff run can be compared to their memorable 2000 season, where they also defied expectations to reach the Finals, eventually losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fans are buzzing on social media, sharing their excitement at the Pacers’ unexpected success. One Twitter user remarked, “Can’t believe they did it again! This team has heart!”

For more details on game highlights and player statistics, check out reports from CBS Sports.

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