Friday, June 6, 2025

Pacers Stun OKC in Game 1

 

    The game is never over until the clock hits zero with the Indiana Pacers. 

    Tyrese Haliburton's jump shot splashed through the net with little time on the clock to help the Pacers stage a miraculous comeback to win game 1 of the NBA Finals 111-110. 

    The Pacers were down by 15 points in the fourth quarter and never led the entire game until Haliburton's go ahead basket with 0.3 seconds left. Indiana only led for less than a full second and still won the game. You can't make this stuff up. 

    Indiana had six players score in double figures with none of them scoring more than 19 points. Haliburton finished with 14 points and 10 assists and six rebounds. Two other Pacers recorded double doubles, Pascal Siakam who had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Aaron Nesmith who had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Obi Toppin came off the bench to score 17 points including five three pointers. 

    Oklahoma City was led in scoring by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who scored a game high 38 points. Three other Thunder players contributed in double figures. Jalen Williams scored 17 points and Luguentz Dort added 15 points.

    The Pacers rally stunned Oklahoma City and their fans. Oklahoma City had the best record in the NBA during the regular season and came into game 1 as a heavy favorite to win the NBA Championship. 

    For most of Thursday's game, Oklahoma City looked very much like the favorites. They swarmed Indiana by using their suffocating defense and dominated the first half of the game. Indiana had a staggering 19 turnovers at halftime. Something unheard of in the NBA Finals. The Pacers had more turnovers in the first half with 19 than made field goals with 15. Not many believed the Pacers had the fortitude to make a comeback. 

    To Indiana's credit their defense was also very good. They limited Oklahoma City to shoot only 37 percent from the floor in the first half to stay within range. Despite the 19 turnovers, the Thunder only scored nine points off of them. That was a big key for Indiana to stay in the game. 

    Indiana came out and played a much better second half. They limited their turnovers in the second half to just five. Indiana chipped away in the third quarter. They cut the lead to six points several times and Oklahoma City failed to extend the lead and could never sustain a big run they are used to having this season. The Thunder went into the fourth quarter leading 85-76. 

    Oklahoma City built up a good lead in the fourth and had a 94-79 lead with 9:42 remaining in the game. Indiana wasn't done just yet. There was more magic to follow. Indiana has built themselves on clutch comebacks in these playoffs. Game 1 of the NBA Finals was just another chapter to add to their story. 

    Indiana went on a 15-4 run to cut the deficit to 98-94 and now Oklahoma City was on the edge of their seats for the first time all game. 

    Oklahoma City extended their lead to 108-99 with less than three minutes remaining and seemed to be in control. Indiana rallied again with back to back three pointers by Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith to cut the lead to 108-105. Pascal Siakam pulled the Pacers within a point at 110-109 with less than a minute left. A missed shot by Alexander helped set the stage for Tyrese Haliburton's heroics. 

    Haliburton comes up clutch for Indiana. Sounds like a reoccurring theme during these playoffs. That's because it is. Tyrese Haliburton has now hit a game tying or winning shot in the final seconds in every round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

    Indiana finished the game by making 18 out of 39 three pointers. Nine Pacers hit at least one three. Obi Toppin off the bench made five. 

    The Pacers limited their total turnovers to 24 for the game after committing 19 in the first half alone. Another big key to the win was the fact Indiana limited Oklahoma City to 38 percent shooting from the floor. Oklahoma City had 16 more field goal attempts than Indiana but could make enough of them to put the Pacers away. 

    Indiana making more historic feats in these playoffs. Since 1971, teams in the NBA Finals that have trailed by at least 9 or more points inside the final three minutes of the game had been 0-182. Indiana is now the one in that category. 

      Oklahoma City will look to regroup and try to split the series going back to Indiana where the Pacers will look to take control of the series by winning both games in Oklahoma City. Indiana has won the first two games in their previous playoff series including both games 1 and 2 on the road in Cleveland and New York. Game 2 is set for 8pm on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. 

    

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Pacers Stun OKC in Game 1

      The game is never over until the clock hits zero with the Indiana Pacers.      Tyrese Haliburton's jump shot splashed through the ...