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Clutch Tyrese Haliburton, 'comeback' Pacers stun Thunder in thrilling start to NBA Finals

Published June 6, 2025, 11:28 AMPao Ambat
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Tyrese Haliburton played the hero anew as the Indiana Pacers completed a 15-point comeback against the OKC Thunder, stealing Game 1 of the NBA Finals on the road.

Comeback is real as the Indiana Pacers shocked the OKC Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals. | Photo: Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton isn’t afraid of the moment — and now the Indiana Pacers have stolen home court.

The 25-year-old hits the game-winning jumper with 0.3 of a second left, lifting the Pacers past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111–110, in a stunning comeback to steal Game 1 of  NBA Finals on the road, Friday (PH time), June 6.

Down 94–79 with under 10 minutes to play, Indiana erupted with a furious 32–16 rally, capped by Haliburton’s cold-blooded pull-up in the clutch, to seal their fourth-straight series-opening win of the postseason.

Everything seemed stacked against the Pacers early.

They committed 19 turnovers in the first half alone, surrendered an NBA Finals-record 12 steals to OKC in the opening two quarters, and trailed by 12 at the break.

But just like they’ve done all playoffs long, the never-say-die Pacers found a way — again.

The All-Star finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his Finals debut, while Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 19 points. 

Obi Toppin chipped in 17 off the bench, and the trio of Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard combined for 39 points in the win.

Game 2 is set for Monday (PH time), June 9, with Indiana now looking to head home with a commanding 2–0 series lead.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points in the loss. Jalen Williams added 17, while Lu Dort had 15. But Oklahoma City unraveled late, suffering just their second defeat of the postseason — and a bitter one at that.

The Thunder led wire-to-wire until the final shot. But in the end, it was Haliburton and the Pacers who had the final answer.

(With reports from Pao Ambat)

[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]