6 Jun 2025
- 16 Comments
Haliburton Buzzer-Beater Caps Wild Pacers Rally in NBA Finals Opener
No one at Gainbridge Fieldhouse expected the Indiana Pacers to flip the script in the dying seconds of Game 1, but that's exactly what happened. Staring down a 15-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter, the Pacers defied the odds and stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-110. The moment that will be replayed again and again: Tyrese Haliburton dancing at the top of the key, draining a tough jumper with just 0.3 seconds left—the shot that not only gave Indiana the win but also set a new postseason record for go-ahead or game-winning buckets by a single player in one playoff run.
This wasn’t just any comeback. Indiana’s fifth double-digit rally of the playoffs ties them with the 2011 Mavericks and 1992 Bulls, teams that both went on memorable championship runs. You sensed something special from Haliburton all night. While the Thunder threw everything at him early, leading with suffocating defense and forcing a staggering 20 Pacer turnovers by halftime, Haliburton played his coolest when it counted most. That last shot was his fifth go-ahead or game-winner in these playoffs, breaking ground no one has covered before.
Thunder Let Massive Lead Slip as Indiana’s Poise Shines
The Thunder looked to have the game locked down for much of the night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played like a Finals MVP front-runner, pouring in 38 points and torching Indiana’s defenders from every angle. Oklahoma City's defense swarmed, trapping and stripping the Pacers into frustration. Yet, for all their first-half dominance, they failed to capitalize. Those 20 turnovers? Only nine points off them—a wasted opportunity in hindsight.
Pascal Siakam quietly kept Indiana afloat, putting up 19 points and 10 boards, muscling through the Thunder’s interior defense. Down the stretch, it was the Pacers making all the right moves. After coughing up the ball repeatedly in the opening half, Indiana completely shifted gears, turning the ball over just five times in the second half and shooting over 51%. Each basket chipped away at Oklahoma City’s lead. Haliburton and Siakam worked a two-man game, Myles Turner protected the paint, and Indiana’s defense ramped up to hold the Thunder to one bucket in the final minutes. With the clock ticking down, it seemed the Thunder would have the last word until Haliburton’s *strong* buzzer-beater silenced the entire crowd.
As the teams gear up for Game 2, all eyes are on how the Thunder respond to giving away a seemingly secure win. Gilgeous-Alexander was blunt after the game: ‘The series isn’t first to one; it’s first to four. We lost Game 1. We have to be better.’ The Pacers, though, have all the momentum—and history—on their side as they chase basketball’s biggest prize.
Byron Marcos Gonzalez
June 6, 2025The Pacers' late‑night heroics transcend mere sport, they ascend into pure theatrical spectacle 😲 Haliburton's buzzer‑beater rewrote the script with the elegance of a Shakespearean climax.
Chris Snyder
June 7, 2025That final shot was not just clutch, it tipped the series momentum – Indiana now holds a psychological edge 😊. The Thunder will need to tighten ball security; cutting turnovers to under ten per game usually correlates with a 70% win rate in the playoffs.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
June 8, 2025Oh great, another miracle win, just what the Pacers needed to prove they can fake a comeback on cue.
george hernandez
June 8, 2025The game unfolded like a novel with twists at every quarter. The Pacers entered the fourth trailing by fifteen points. Their fans whispered doubts in the arena. Yet the bench responded with energy. Haliburton began to find his rhythm early in the half. He threaded passes that split the Thunder defense. Siakam added a steady presence on the boards. Turnovers dwindled as the clock wound down. Indiana's shooting percentage climbed past fifty one percent. Oklahoma City's defense tightened but could not force a stop. The thunderous crowd sensed a shift in momentum. Each basket chipped away at the lead. The lead changed hands several times in the final eight minutes. When the shot clock expired the ball was in Haliburton’s hands. He rose, released, and the net swished as the buzzer echoed. The arena erupted in disbelief and elation. This victory will be referenced in future analyses of comeback lore.
bob wang
June 9, 2025Dear readers, allow me to express, with the utmost respect, the significance of this extraordinary finale; the Pacers, through a series of meticulously executed plays, have secured, without doubt, a victory that will be, for many, unforgettable 😊.
Seyi Aina
June 10, 2025Man, the Thunder really blew it, turning a solid lead into a footnote – typical lazy turnover fest.
Alyson Gray
June 11, 2025omg i cant even, that shot was like a heart‑attack moment, my chest still hurting lol but i’m sooo proud of indiana!
Shaun Collins
June 11, 2025Another overtime nonsense, same old story, teams flail until someone gets lucky.
Chris Ward
June 12, 2025actually i think the thunder had a chance, they just needed a lil more hustle, not all bad lol.
Heather Stoelting
June 13, 2025Keep grinding, the comeback spirit fuels every game!
Travis Cossairt
June 13, 2025i guess the pacers found a way, yeh guess they just got lucky.
Amanda Friar
June 14, 2025Sure, let’s all celebrate a buzzer‑beater while ignoring the fact that the Thunder’s defense was a dumpster fire all night.
Sivaprasad Rajana
June 15, 2025The key takeaway is that protecting the ball in the fourth quarter can change a series, so the Thunder should focus on that.
Andrew Wilchak
June 15, 2025hey thunder you need to tighten up already lol.
Roland Baber
June 16, 2025When we contemplate the nature of resilience, the Pacers' rally serves as a reminder that adversity is merely a canvas for greatness. Their composure under pressure illustrates the timeless principle that true character emerges when the odds are stacked. In this light, the Thunder have an opportunity to reflect, adjust, and return stronger.
Phil Wilson
June 17, 2025From an advanced metrics perspective, Indiana's effective field goal percentage surged past 60% in the final twelve minutes, indicating a high‑quality shot selection curve, while Oklahoma City's turnover rate spiked to 4.2 per 100 possessions, a clear inefficiency marker in postseason play.