The Indiana Pacers did it again.
After trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers stormed back to win after Tyrese Haliburton‘s jumper put them ahead with 0.3 seconds remaining. It is the latest game winner in an NBA Finals game since Michael Jordan in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, according to ESPN Research.
Indiana got the stop on the ensuing possession for a 111-110 victory Thursday, shocking the Thunder and snatching a 1-0 lead in the Finals. Indiana never led until Haliburton’s jumper. The Pacers have overcome five 15-point deficits this postseason — the most by any team in a single postseason since 1998.
The 15-point comeback ties the largest fourth-quarter rally victory in the Finals over the past 50 years. The head coach for the most recent instance before Thursday was Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.
Haliburton has five career game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime in the playoffs, tied with Reggie Miller for second most since at least 1997.
The Pacers’ latest postseason comeback drew reactions from around the sports world, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. Haliburton also had a post after the game, referring to the debut of his new Puma shoes Thursday night.
It’s gotta be the shoooeeesss
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 6, 2025
YOU CANT MAKE IT UP 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) June 6, 2025
Helly!?!?
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 6, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton does it again!!! 🤯
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 6, 2025
What an incredible shot by Tyrese Haliburton to seal the victory for the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. That was an amazing fourth quarter comeback by the entire Pacers team!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 6, 2025
Nahhh he’s on some shi### 🤣🤣 h https://t.co/yP6AyeIAO1
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) June 6, 2025
I don’t think anyone plays better than the pacers in the 4th qt!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) June 6, 2025
Wow
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) June 6, 2025
……oh my goodness
— Immanuel Jaylen Quickley (@IQ_GodSon) June 6, 2025
haliburton is on the craziest run I’ve ever seen omg
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) June 6, 2025
Big time shot
— PJ Washington (@PJWashington) June 6, 2025
Wow wow wow
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) June 6, 2025
