Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second shot clinched a 111-110 victory for the Indiana Pacers over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
This marked Indiana’s first lead of the game, achieved with just 0.3 seconds remaining. The Pacers, known for their dramatic playoff comebacks, once again pulled off a stunning win on Thursday night.
Oklahoma City had maintained a strong lead throughout, being up by 15 points early in the fourth quarter. However, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made a strategic move by substituting all five players to ignite a comeback. This decision proved effective as Indiana outscored Oklahoma City 15-4 in just over three minutes, narrowing the gap to 98-94.
The Pacers have shown resilience throughout these playoffs. On April 29, they overcame a seven-point deficit against Milwaukee in overtime to win 119-118. Similarly, on May 6, they rallied from being down by seven against Cleveland with less than a minute left to secure a 120-119 victory. Another notable comeback was on May 21 against New York, where they turned around a nine-point deficit to win in overtime.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 19 points, while Obi Toppin added 17 and Myles Turner contributed 15. Both Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard scored 14 each. For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the top scorer with an impressive 38 points.
Despite their strong home record of being undefeated in games where they led by at least 15 points this season, Oklahoma City couldn’t hold off Indiana’s late surge. The Thunder were previously unbeaten at home under such circumstances until this game.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday night in Oklahoma City, where both teams will look to adjust strategies following this thrilling opener.
The Pacers’ ability to rally from significant deficits has been remarkable throughout these playoffs. Their determination and strategic adjustments have consistently paid off under pressure, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess under Coach Rick Carlisle’s leadership.