Pacers Deliver Historic Comeback in Game 1 vs. Thunder
In a stunning opener to the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder with a dramatic 111–110 road victory. Trailing by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers completed a legendary comeback—capping it off with Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining.
First-Half Struggles, Fourth-Quarter Fury
Indiana’s early performance was marred by turnovers—24 in total, including a staggering 19 in the first half—allowing the Thunder to build a command lead. Yet, as the fourth quarter unfolded, the Pacers' offense awakened. Timely three-pointers from Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith closed the gap, setting the stage for Haliburton’s heroics.
Haliburton: Mr. Clutch
Haliburton has been the embodiment of composure in clutch moments all postseason, and Game 1 was his crowning achievement. His buzzer-beater, a 21-foot jumper over Cason Wallace, marked his fourth game-winning or tying shot deep in the final seconds of a playoff game—emulating legends like Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan.
This was also, incredibly, the first time in NBA Finals history a team overcame a 9+ point deficit with under three minutes to go—ending a 0–182 record
Team Effort & Coaching Clarity
Pascal Siakam was pivotal too, contributing a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. Coach Rick Carlisle’s late-game strategy—eschewing a timeout in favor of letting play develop—proved crucial, enabling a seamless transition to Haliburton’s decisive moment.
Setting the Tone for the Finals
This electrifying win grants the Pacers a 1–0 advantage and cements their reputation as postseason comeback artists: it marks their fourth fourth-quarter comeback from 15+ points down in this playoff run.
Meanwhile, the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive 38 points, must regroup quickly, as they cannot afford to lose both home games against a gritty Pacers squad.
