Upset of the Century: Pacers Stun Thunder in EPIC NBA Finals Opener
Dramatic commencement of NBA Finals - Favorite team suffers significant setback
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Indiana Pacers shock the basketball world, pulling off an unforgettable comeback to defeat the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals' inaugural game.
With mere instants left in regulation, Haliburton delivered a game-winning, buzzer-beating jumper to write a new chapter in NBA history, rewriting the massive 15-point deficit in the last quarter as just another obstacle conquered en route to victory[1][2][3]. The Pacers triumph, led by Haliburton's cold-blooded execution, came after a chaotic game where Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring German Isaiah Hartenstein, looked primed to win the opener for what seemed like ages[5].
"This is the biggest victory of our lives. The team's fighting spirit proves that miracles do happen," Haliburton smirked victoriously[5]. "Our playoff journey has been littered with adversity, and we continue to believe in our abilities. We pull through no matter the situation."
escapes the clutches of disarray, having confronted and vanquished numerous seemingly insurmountable deficits during their playoffs campaign. Hall of Fame coach Rick Carlisle, a key figure in the previous Dallas Mavericks' similar miraculous success against the Miami Heat, now sitting on Indiana's sidelines[5], masterminded their latest turnaround.
Oklahoma City's Tumultuous Defeat
An otherwise promising series for Oklahoma City Thunder takes an alarming turn, as the Pacers deliver a shocking blow to their hopes of securing the title. Defeat in this best-of-seven series could mean the end of the road for the Thunder, featuring the German substitute powerhouse Hartenstein. For much of the game, Hartenstein anchored the Thunder to a lead, finding himself in double-figure points more often than not[5]. The supporting roles were admirably filled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ended the contest with a respectable 38 points[5], but ultimately couldn't prevent the heart-wrenching loss.
Facing a barrage of miscues that resulted in a colossal 19 turnovers in a solitary half[5], the Thunder's offensive rust became evidently clear. "We have to play a lot better. If that's not a disastrous record, it's close," a grim-faced Carlisle remarked in the wake of their astonishing reversal of fortune[5]. High-scoring Pascal Siakam was the Thunder's top performer with 19 points, although it was the two game-altering ones grabbed by Haliburton in the dying seconds that sealed Oklahoma City's dramatic fate[5].
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid
- NBA
- Basketball
- Basketball Playoffs
[1] A 15-point deficit has not been overcome in the NBA Finals in 14 years, last seen when the Dallas Mavericks bested the Miami Heat.[2] Coach Rick Carlisle, who led the winning Dallas Mavericks side fourteen years ago, coaches the victorious Pacers today.[3] Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning jumper came after a remarkable fourth quarter performance by the Pacers, who trailed by 15 before proceeding to secure an unlikely victory.[4] The Pacers relied on their mental fortitude, adaptability, key player performances, and discipline under pressure to turn around seemingly insurmountable odds.[5] 'Miracle' and 'powerhouse' are just a few of the words that have been penned to describe the Pacers' resilient postseason run, caught the eyes of NBA fans all across the globe.
The Indiana Pacers, buoyed by Haliburton's game-winning jumper, stunned the basketball world and the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder, mirroring the Dallas Mavericks' miraculous victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs. The Pacers' resilient run, marked by mental fortitude, key player performances, and discipline under pressure, has earned them the moniker of a powerhouse in the NBA playoffs.
Playing a less than stellar game, the Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring Isaiah Hartenstein and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, succumbed to the Pacers in a shocking defeat. Plagued by 19 turnovers in a single half and an offensive rust, the Thunder are now facing a critical juncture in their title aspirations, as another loss could potentially mark the end of their playoff journey.
