For the fourth time in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton has delivered a late-game lead for the Indiana Pacers. This time, he did it on the biggest stage—his first NBA Finals appearance—securing Indiana’s first win of the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Just a few weeks ago, the narrative around Haliburton was that he was “overrated,” as voted by his peers in an anonymous NBA poll. But that storyline seems like a thing of the past. Haliburton has proven he's a true NBA superstar. In his Finals debut, he recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists—and hit the go-ahead bucket with just 0.3 seconds remaining to give the Pacers a thrilling 111–110 victory.
him. pic.twitter.com/uAglWlweW0
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 6, 2025
While Haliburton was the headline of the night, the Pacers' depth also shined. Six players scored in double digits, and Rick Carlisle’s full rotation stepped up, with all 10 players contributing points.
Haliburton on the Pacers mentality
“I think as a group, we never think the game is over. Ever, honestly speaking. Ever. That never creeps in,” said Haliburton, who now has four go-ahead or game-tying shots in the fourth quarter or overtime this postseason—the most in a single playoffs since 1998.
“This group never gives up. We never believe that the game is over until it hits zero, and that’s just the God’s honest truth. That’s the confidence we have as a group, and I think that’s a big reason why this is happening.”
it's not over until it's over. pic.twitter.com/WZbv1PvKTo
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 6, 2025
The Pacers trailed by double digits at halftime, but their trademark resilience kicked in. As they’ve done throughout these playoffs, they stayed in the fight and relied on their closer—Tyrese Haliburton—to carry them across the finish line.
Indiana will be on the road again for Game 2 this Sunday before returning home. All the pressure now shifts to Oklahoma City, who will need a win to avoid heading to Indianapolis down 0–2.