Pacers Snatch Game 1: Haliburton Delivers in the Clutch as Indiana Stuns Thunder

The Indiana Pacers are proving once again that they don’t just survive in the pressure cooker — they turn up the heat.

In a dramatic Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers clawed their way back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to steal a 111-110 victory on the road against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Tyrese Haliburton added yet another chapter to his postseason legend, knocking down the game-winner with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock to give Indiana its first and only lead of the night.

It marked the fourth time this postseason Haliburton has hit a clutch shot in the final seconds — and this one came on the league’s biggest stage. I will, from now on, refer to him as “The Moment” or Mr. Big Shot. He continues to prove he is nothing but clutch in the big moments.

Despite committing 25 turnovers and struggling to contain MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38-point outburst, the Pacers refused to back down. Head coach Rick Carlisle pushed all the right buttons, subbing out his entire lineup midway through the fourth to spark a 15-4 run. From there, Indiana’s depth took over, and Haliburton delivered the dagger.

Pascal Siakam paced Indiana with 19 points, Obi Toppin brought thunder of his own with 17 off the bench, and Myles Turner added 15. Indiana’s defense clamped down when it mattered most, forcing just enough stops to set the table for Haliburton’s heroics.

With the win, Indiana grabs a 1-0 lead in the Finals and hands Oklahoma City just their second home loss of the postseason. Game 2 tips Sunday night, and the Pacers have officially turned this series into a full-court dogfight. Thunder beware — Indiana’s got lightning in their backcourt.