The Indiana Pacers are set to host their first NBA Finals game in 25 years after splitting the opening two games of the 2025 series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Indiana advanced to the finals by defeating the top-seeded 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and eliminating the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking the team's second ever appearance on the NBA's biggest stage.
The series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3, with the Pacers returning to Gainbridge Fieldhouse after stealing a dramatic opener in Oklahoma City following a game-winning shot by Tyrese Haliburton.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton line up a shot
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton lines up a shot.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Before tipoff of the first two games of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, Haliburton arrived carrying his recently revealed signature shoe, Puma Hali 1's, in hand.
However, before Game 3, Haliburton's shift in apparel caught plenty of fans' attention, as he was seen in an entirely different outfit.
“He didn’t like how the first 2 games played out lol,” one fan said.
“Brought his purse for the home game?” another wrote.
“This man is locked in tonight,” said another fan.
Another response wrote, “This dude is corny.”
“He’s home and his shoes are already there,” mentioned another fan.
“Dark magic full effect,” a fan said.
Haliburton has delivered in the biggest moments throughout Indiana’s playoff run, hitting game-winners against Milwaukee, Cleveland and Oklahoma City. His buzzer-beater in Game 1 of the NBA Finals—an off-balance jumper with 0.3 seconds left—was his fifth career go-ahead shot in the final five seconds of a playoff game.