NBA's championship clinched by the Pacers in the final showdown
Game-Changing win for underdog Pacers
Friend, here's a scorcher! The Indiana Pacers snatched a dramatic win in the first game of the NBA Finals, stunning the favored Oklahoma City Thunder. The final score was a nail-biting 111-110, with the Pacers taking the lead with just 0.3 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma City - It was a grand comeback for the Indiana Pacers, who were down by 15 points in the final quarter of the opening game. This iconic victory was reminiscent of the Dallas Mavericks' comeback 14 years ago, led by Dirk Nowitzki, with the same coach, Rick Carlisle, leading the Pacers now. The team has already demonstrated their resilience by turning around several seemingly lost games during this playoff season.
Hartenstein's Bench Role
In this best-of-seven series, the Pacers took an unexpected, painful blow against the German Isaiah Hartenstein, who found himself on the bench instead of being the starting center. Despite his substitute role, Hartenstein played a significant part in the Thunder leading for most of the game, often holding a 10-point advantage. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring with 38 points, but missed his last shot attempt, giving Haliburton the chance for the game-winning throw.
The Pacers struggled with mistakes, but managed to hang on to the game. Coach Carlisle lamented, "We've got to play much better. 19 turnovers in a half? If that's not a negative record, it's at least close." Pascal Siakam was the Pacers' top scorer with 19 points, while Haliburton, the team's hero, finished with 14 points, including the crucial final two points. dpa
Worth a Peek
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How Did Oklahoma City Thunder's Starting Lineup Look in the 2025 NBA Finals Game?
The Oklahoma City Thunder's starting lineup in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals included:
- Point Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Shooting Guard: Cason Wallace
- Small Forward: Luguentz Dort
- Power Forward: Jalen Williams
- Center: Chet Holmgren
This lineup was expected to stay consistent for Game 2, with Isaiah Hartenstein potentially seeing more playing time off the bench. Adjust your ad blocker settings or click here for more details!
In an unusual turn, German player Isaiah Hartenstein found himself benched for the starting center position in the Pacers' team, despite contributing significantly to the Thunder's lead throughout the game. Despite their numerous errors, the Pacers managed to defeat the Thunder in an exciting NBA Finals game, with their hero Malcolm Brogdon scoring the game-winning points.
