In a breathtaking display of resilience, the Indiana Pacers captured Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, edging out the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 and taking a 1-0 lead in the championship series.
Facing a daunting 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, the Pacers rallied dramatically, seizing their first lead with just 0.3 seconds remaining. Tyrese Haliburton delivered the decisive blow with a clutch pull-up jumper, securing the victory. With only 2 minutes and 52 seconds left on the clock, Indiana was down by nine but closed the game with an impressive 12-2 run.
Haliburton contributed significantly with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, while the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a scoring clinic, netting 38 points despite the loss.
"Honestly, it was about hitting the reset button and focusing on each possession in the third quarter to chip away," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle reflected after the game.
For nearly the entire 48 minutes, the Thunder appeared poised to take the lead, bolstered by their relentless defense that forced 25 turnovers, including 19 in the first half. However, their offense struggled to capitalize on these opportunities, managing to score only 11 points off the turnovers.
Oklahoma City attempted 16 more shots than Indiana but struggled with efficiency, converting just 39.8% of their 98 attempts. Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive scoring was overshadowed by his shooting woes, as he made only 14 of his 30 attempts.
Before Haliburton’s game-winning shot, Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to extend his team’s lead but missed a pull-up jumper that could have given the Thunder a three-point advantage.
Despite a subdued performance leading up to his clutch shot, Haliburton played a crucial role in the Pacers' balanced scoring effort. Pascal Siakam led the team with 19 points, with all five starters and six players overall contributing in double figures.
The Pacers' success from beyond the arc was pivotal, as they shot 18-of-39 from three-point range, an impressive 46.2%. Obi Toppin made a significant impact off the bench, sinking five three-pointers to help fuel the comeback.
"This journey is just beginning, and we need to stay focused on each other and the task at hand," Carlisle emphasized.
The teams will meet again for Game 2 on Sunday.
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