Cinderella Story: Pacers Defy Odds and Stun Favored Thunder in Dramatic NBA Finals Opener
Dramatic commencement of NBA Finals, punctuated by a shocking blow against the clear-cut favorite
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Encountering an electrifying comeback, the Indiana Pacers managed to snatch a hard-fought victory against the heavily-favored Oklahoma City Thunder, besting them by a single point (111-110) in the first game of the 2025 NBA Finals. As the Thunder were poised to seal the win late in the final quarter, Tyrese Haliburton delivered a dramatic buzzer-beater, stealing the game with mere milliseconds to spare!
Indiana's grit was evident throughout, especially as they fought back from a 15-point deficit, marking the most resilient comeback in the NBA Finals since 2011 [1][4]. Haliburton's game-winning shot represented his fifth clutch contribution in the final minutes of the playoffs, setting a new record in the postseason [1][4].
Pascal Siakam, meanwhile, led the Pacers with a strong outing, boasting 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred for the Thunder, scoring a game-high 38 points. However, an erratic performance from his teammates left them wanting, as they fell just short of victory.
The stunning triumph overturned the odds in Indiana's favor - now needing only three more wins to capture the title. Memories of the Dallas Mavericks' dramatic comeback against the Miami Heat in 2011 and the Chicago Bulls' fight against the Phoenix Suns in 1992 were revived in this breathtaking display of sportsmanship [3][1].
German Standout:
Among the Indianan players was German Isaiah Hartenstein, contributing effectively from the bench in the game's latter stages. Hartenstein, who started due to injury to regular center Myles Turner, may well have found himself treading in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki as he seeks NBA glory with the Pacers [2].
Sources:
- [1] bleacherreport.com
- [2] sport1.de
- [3] ntv.de
- [4] sports.yahoo.com
- "In a shocking turn of events, the Indiana Pacers have started the 2025 NBA Finals with a stunning upset over the Oklahoma City Thunder, setting the stage for an exciting basketball playoffs!"
- "Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning buzzer-beater turned the tide in the Pacers' favor, as they now have the momentum in the NBA Finals and find themselves only one win away from tying the series."
