Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a miracle Game 1 victory over the New York Knicks in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals. He hit one of the most ridiculous buzzer-beaters in recent memory. However, because his toe was on the three-point line, his shot tied the game at the end of regulation rather than ending the contest.
The Brooklyn Nets know how this feels. During the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Durant hit a clutch buzzer-beater in Game 7. However, because his toe was on the line, it tied the game, sending it to overtime.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard James Harden (13).
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard James Harden (13).
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The difference between the two outcomes is that the Pacers then beat the Knicks in overtime, which factored into them being up 2-0. The Nets lost in overtime to the Bucks, eliminating them from the playoffs.
Haliburton reflected on accidentally doing the same thing Durant did four years prior, name-dropping the former Nets superstar in an interview with TNT's Reggie Miller.
"This is my KD moment right here, right? Foot's on the line. I thought for sure I got back," Haliburton told Miller.
Durant's shot will go down in Nets' infamy. Had his toe not been on the line, the Nets would have won the series, advancing them to the Eastern Conference finals. Instead, the Bucks won in overtime and the title two rounds later.
Those shots really can determine the series. There's no telling how foolish Haliburton would have looked if the Knicks went on to win Game 1. At the same time, the Pacers wouldn't have the commanding lead they do if it weren't for him.