OKLAHOMA CITY — Every Indiana Pacers comeback in this postseason has followed a similar pattern: a late-game rally from behind by double digits, capped off by a clutch basket from Tyrese Haliburton that leaves their opponents stunned.
The newest example of Indiana’s resilience happened Thursday night, when the Pacers edged out the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, thanks to Haliburton’s game-winning shot with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
Haliburton’s buzzer-beater is the latest game-winning shot in an NBA Finals game since Michael Jordan’s iconic shot in Game 1 of the 1997 Finals versus the Utah Jazz, as noted by ESPN Research.
“As a team, we never believe the game is finished, not even once,” Haliburton said. “Honestly, never.”
Despite trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers came back to win — marking the fifth time this postseason they have overcome such a deficit. This is the highest number of 15-point comebacks by any team in a single postseason since 1998.
The Pacers only took their first lead of the game with 0.3 seconds left, which stands as the latest first lead in any NBA Finals game in the last 50 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Once again, Haliburton was the hero, hitting his fourth game-winning or tying shot within the final five seconds this postseason.
“I’m not sure what else to say except that this team is tough,” Haliburton said. “We keep fighting until the clock hits zero.”
Indiana pulled off the win despite turning the ball over 24 times—the most turnovers they’ve had in any game this postseason. They also allowed Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score 38 points and faced a loud, energetic home crowd that created a challenging atmosphere, which Haliburton admitted caused some early nerves and contributed to the turnovers.
In the first half alone, the Pacers committed 20 turnovers — the most by any team in a half in an NBA Finals game in the past 35 years.
“Looking at the stats, it’s clear that’s not a winning formula,” Haliburton said. “We need to take better care of the ball. We have to improve on positioning, rebounding, and all aspects on the floor.
“But when it’s May and June, how we win is less important than just winning.”
Six Pacers scored in double figures. Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard each put up 14 points. Obi Toppin contributed 17 points with five three-pointers off the bench. Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 19 points.
Still, Indiana trailed by 15 with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter, matching the largest fourth-quarter comeback in Finals history since the Dallas Mavericks did it in Game 2 against the Miami Heat in 2011. Interestingly, Rick Carlisle coached both teams.
“We just focused on chipping away bit by bit,” Carlisle said Thursday night. “Our guys have been in these tough situations before and understand what it takes to give ourselves a chance. We got a little lucky but made the plays when it counted.”
The Pacers chipped away at the Thunder’s lead with clutch three-pointers from Myles Turner, Nembhard, and Toppin, narrowing the gap to just one point during a replay review with 22.1 seconds remaining.
During the break in play, Carlisle instructed the team not to call a timeout if they regained possession, avoiding giving the Thunder time to set up their defense. Nembhard’s tenacious defense forced Gilgeous-Alexander into a missed jumper. After Aaron Nesmith secured the rebound, the Pacers knew to get the ball back to Haliburton.
“The moment he jumped to shoot, I just knew it was good,” Nesmith said. “Whenever it’s in his hands in those moments, I trust it.”
This comeback was the fourth improbable rally Indiana has pulled off during this playoff run.
In the first round’s Game 5, they overcame a 118-111 deficit with 34.6 seconds left in overtime to win 119-118. In the second round’s Game 2, they erased a 119-112 gap with 48 seconds remaining and won 120-119. In the Eastern Conference Finals’ Game 1, they came back from 121-112 down with just 51.1 seconds left to win 138-135 in overtime.
With Thursday’s victory, the Pacers hold a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals — their first-ever lead in a Finals series. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday night in Oklahoma City.
“It’s a full 48-minute game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “[The Pacers] show you that more than any other team in the league, often in the toughest way.”