The Indiana Pacers have done it again, orchestrating another significant comeback.
Facing a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers launched a powerful rally. Their efforts were capped by Tyrese Haliburton`s clutch jumper, which put them ahead with just 0.3 seconds remaining. This shot stands as the latest game winner in an NBA Finals game since Michael Jordan`s decisive basket in Game 1 of the 1997 Finals.
Following the game-winner, Indiana successfully defended the final possession to secure a thrilling 111-110 victory on Thursday. The win shocked the Thunder and gave the Pacers a 1-0 lead in the series. Remarkably, Indiana had not held the lead at any point until Haliburton`s final shot. This postseason, the Pacers have now overcome five deficits of 15 points or more, marking the most such comebacks by any team in a single playoff run since 1998.
This particular 15-point comeback ties for the largest fourth-quarter rally leading to a victory in the NBA Finals over the past 50 years. Intriguingly, the head coach involved in the only other such instance before Thursday`s game was none other than the current Pacers coach, Rick Carlisle.
Haliburton`s game-winning play is his fifth career field goal to tie or take the lead in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime during the playoffs. This achievement puts him in a tie with Reggie Miller for the second-most such shots recorded since at least 1997.
The Pacers` latest dramatic playoff victory quickly became a major talking point across the sports world. Reactions poured in from various figures, including Indiana Fever basketball star Caitlin Clark and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Haliburton himself took to social media after the game, humorously referencing the debut of his new Puma shoes.