Pacers Edge Thunder In Game 1 Of NBA Finals With Haliburton's Buzzer-Beater

Haliburton's Heroics Lift Pacers in Game 1 Thriller

The 2025 NBA Finals tipped off with a dramatic showdown between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a game filled with momentum swings but only one lead change, the Pacers secured a 111–110 victory, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton's clutch jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining. This gives Indiana a 1–0 advantage in the series.

The Thunder dominated early, capitalizing on first-half turnovers by Indiana to build a 57–45 halftime lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 38 points, while Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort had 17 and 15 points respectively.

Despite trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter, the Pacers mounted a comeback. Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Obi Toppin added five three-pointers off the bench. Haliburton only finished with 14 points but it included the game-winning shot with only 0.3 seconds left to take the Pacers only lead of the game and secure the win.

The Pacers are now 4-0 in Game 1s this postseason compared to last year's 0-3. They also continued to show off their road dominance and grew to 7-2 away from home in the playoffs.

NBA Finals Game 2 Preview: Thunder Aim to Bounce Back

Game 2 isn't scheduled until Sunday, June 8, in Oklahoma City leaving both teams no excuse for lack of rest. The Thunder will look to even the series, relying on their strong defense and the scoring prowess of SGA. Chet Holmgren, who struggled in Game 1 with just six points on 2-of-9 shooting, will also aim to make a greater impact this time around. 

The Pacers, on the other hand, will seek to maintain their momentum and continue their resilient play. Their depth and ability to capitalize on key moments have been crucial throughout the playoffs.

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