Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has now led two of the only three teams since 1971 to complete fourth-quarter comebacks of 15+ points in NBA Finals history.
The Indiana Pacers pulled off a historic comeback in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, edging the Oklahoma City Thunder 111–110 in a stunning finish.
Player of the Game
Pascal Siakam
22
Pascal Siakam
Points
Accuracy
Rebounds
Assists
The Pacers became just the third team in NBA Finals history since 1971 to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit of 15 or more points and win.
What makes the feat even more remarkable is its historical parallel: the last time such a comeback happened in the Finals was in 2011—when current Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle led the Dallas Mavericks to a 95–93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 2, tying the series.
That year, the Heat were overwhelming favorites to win the championship, but Carlisle’s Mavericks went on to secure the franchise’s first-ever NBA title in one of the league’s most memorable upsets.
Now, over a decade later, Carlisle finds himself in a strikingly similar situation—guiding another underdog team on a surprising Finals run, this time facing the heavily favored Thunder. A second improbable championship could be within reach.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder will be played Sunday in Oklahoma City.
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