The Unbelievable Comeback: Pacers Steal Game One from Thunder in NBA Finals Drama
Dramatic start to the NBA Finals, with a surprising blow to the top contender
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The NBA Finals are off to a stunning start as underdogs Indiana Pacers manage a miraculous comeback to beat favorites Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1. With just 0.3 seconds left in the final quarter, Tyrese Haliburton knocked down a clutch pull-up jumper to seal the win.
The Pacers trailed by 15 points in the final quarter but refused to give up, drawing inspiration from previous postseason victories — managing to turn around seemingly lost games[1]. This impressive recovery marks the fifth time the Pacers have rallied from a 15+ point deficit this postseason, setting a record for such feats in NBA playoff history[3].
Germany's Isaiah Hartenstein lined up as a substitute in Game 1 but still delivered a solid performance, helping Oklahoma City take a lead for most of the game. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's last-minute missed shot gave Haliburton the opportunity to step up and steal the show[2].
Coach Rick Carlisle, who led the Dallas Mavericks to victory over the Miami Heat after a 15-point comeback 14 years ago, seemed to inspire his current team to pull off another last-minute heroics[1]. Despite a poor showing with 19 turnovers in the first half, the Pacers never lost hope, with Pascal Siakam topping the scores with 19 points, alongside Haliburton's crucial 14.
Follow the Pacers' extraordinary journey as they challenge the Thunder in the NBA title race. Stay tuned for more mouth-dropping moments!
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_teams_that_have_rallied_from_a_15%2B_deficit_in_the_fourth_quarter[2] espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34544966[3] sports illustrate.cnn.com/nba/playoffs/2025-nba-playoffs/comeback-records-tyrese-haliburton-indiana-pacers
The Indiana Pacers' remarkable victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110, underscores their exceptional basketball skills in the NBA playoffs. This win, secured with a clutch pull-up jumper from Tyrese Haliburton in the final seconds, highlight their dominance in sports, particularly in basketball.
