In a dramatic finish worthy of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton etched his name into Indiana Pacers lore by sinking a last-second shot to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-107 in Game 1 of the championship series. The game, played in front of a packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd in Indianapolis, was a back-and-forth thriller, but it was Haliburton’s clutch heroics in the final second that delivered the Pacers a pivotal opening win.
The Pacers, returning to the Finals for the first time since 2000, came into the series as slight underdogs against a young and energetic Thunder squad led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. But any doubts about Indiana’s ability to match Oklahoma City’s intensity were erased in a game filled with high-level execution, big-time plays, and momentum swings that had fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
Haliburton, who finished the night with 27 points and 12 assists, took control of the final possession with the score tied at 107. After dribbling near midcourt to wind down the clock, he used a screen from Myles Turner to shake off Thunder defender Lu Dort and launched a mid-range step-back jumper over Holmgren. The shot arced high and hit nothing but net as the buzzer sounded, sending the Pacers and their fans into a frenzy.
“It’s a moment I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” Haliburton said after the game. “To hit a game-winner in the NBA Finals, in front of our fans—it doesn’t get any better than that. But it’s just one game. We’ve got three more to win.”
The shot capped off an impressive all-around performance by the All-Star guard, who had been quiet for much of the fourth quarter before reasserting himself in the final minute. Haliburton’s poise under pressure was emblematic of a Pacers team that has shown maturity beyond its years throughout this postseason run.
Indiana also got strong contributions from Turner, who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks, as well as Bennedict Mathurin, whose 21 points off the bench provided a crucial spark. The Pacers’ defense stepped up in key moments, particularly in the final two minutes, forcing a pair of turnovers that helped swing momentum their way.
On the other side, the Thunder were led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point night, including a dazzling stretch in the third quarter where he scored 12 straight to keep Oklahoma City within striking distance. Holmgren added 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Williams chipped in 15 points, but Oklahoma City struggled to execute in the game’s closing moments.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was philosophical in his postgame remarks. “It’s a tough way to lose, no question,” he said. “But this is the NBA Finals. Every game is a battle, and every possession matters. We’ll learn from it and be ready for Game 2.”
The game featured ten lead changes and neither team led by more than eight points at any time. It was the kind of evenly matched, high-intensity battle that fans and analysts had hoped for in this surprising but compelling Finals matchup.
For the Pacers, the win gives them a 1-0 series lead and a psychological edge. Haliburton’s game-winner not only secured the victory but also delivered a statement: Indiana is not just happy to be in the Finals—they’re here to win.
Head coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s composure and effort. “Tyrese was phenomenal, but it was a total team effort,” Carlisle said. “Our guys played with heart and toughness. We stayed together even when things didn’t go our way. That’s what it takes to win in June.”
As the teams prepare for Game 2, the pressure shifts slightly to the Thunder, who must now find a way to bounce back on the road. Game 1 has set the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested series, and if Haliburton’s buzzer-beater is any indication, the Finals could be one for the ages.
The victory marks a high point in what has been a breakout season for Haliburton, who has evolved into the face of the Pacers franchise. If he continues to perform at this level, Indiana may be closer than ever to its first NBA championship. Game 2 tips off in Indianapolis in two days, with the Thunder eager to respond and the Pacers looking to ride
their newfound momentum.
