Tyrese Haliburton scored with 0.3 seconds left for Indiana's first and only lead of the game, as the last-minute comeback kings of these playoffs did it again in game one of the NBA Finals.
The Pacers prevailed 110-110 in a epic opening clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night (local time).
Tyrese Haliburton for the lead with .3 remaining.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/bsYPIHo4tH
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 6, 2025
The Pacers were down by 15 with 9:42 left, matching the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in a finals game since Dallas came from 15 down to beat Miami on June 2, 2011.
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The coach of those Mavericks: Rick Carlisle. The coach of these Pacers: Rick Carlisle.
Once again, Indiana found a way at the end in these playoffs.
On April 29, they trailed Milwaukee 118-111 with 34.6 seconds left in overtime and won 119-118.
On May 6, the Pacers trailed Cleveland 119-112 with 48 seconds left and won 120-119.
On May 21, they trailed New York 121-112 with 51.1 seconds left in regulation and won 138-135 in overtime.
Now, this.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton's ice-cool shooting helped the Pacers bank the win. (AP PHOTO)
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 19 points. Obi Toppin scored 17, Myles Turner had 15, and Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard each had 14.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 38 for Oklahoma City, which was 36-1 at home with 15-point leads this season.
Game two is at Oklahoma City on Sunday night (local time).
Oklahoma City led by 15 early in the fourth when Carlisle called time and subbed out all five players, seeking a spark. It worked.
The Pacers outscored the Thunder 15-4 over the next 3:26 – getting within 98-94 on a 3 by Turner with 6:16 left.