The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a dramatic 111-110 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, held at the Paycom Center on June 6 (Korea Standard Time). The win gives the Pacers a crucial lead in the series as they edge closer to what would be their first championship title since the NBA-ABA merger.
Despite trailing for most of the match and being down by 15 points with just under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Indiana staged an extraordinary comeback. Head coach Rick Carlisle made a bold move by substituting all five players on the court, sparking a momentum shift. Key three-pointers from Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner narrowed the deficit, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With only 49 seconds left on the clock, Pascal Siakam drove in a crucial layup, trimming the Thunder’s lead to a single point at 110-109. Oklahoma City then failed to capitalize on two offensive chances, with missed shots by Jaylen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Halliburton Delivers Yet Another Clutch Moment
In a moment that electrified Pacers fans, Tyrese Halliburton once again stepped up when it mattered most. Following a rebound by Aaron Nesmith, Halliburton received the ball and launched a mid-range jumper from the right wing with just 0.3 seconds left. The shot dropped cleanly through the net, completing Indiana’s comeback and sealing the one-point victory.
This buzzer-beater adds to Tyrese Halliburton growing legend of clutch performances. He previously hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and forced overtime with a buzzer-beating shot in the conference finals against the New York Knicks.
Indiana’s balanced scoring played a major role in the win. All five starters recorded double-digit points. Siakam led the way with a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds), while Tyrese Halliburton contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. Toppin made a strong impact off the bench, scoring 17 points to fuel the comeback effort.
Thunder’s Strong Performance Falls Short
Oklahoma City had a strong showing led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 38 points and kept the Thunder in control for most of the game. Jaylen Williams added 17 points, and Lu Dort chipped in with 15. However, their offense faltered in the closing moments, allowing Indiana to steal the win on their home court.
The Thunder’s inability to convert critical shots in the final minute and Halliburton’s poise under pressure shifted the momentum to the Pacers, who now take a 1-0 lead in the Finals. Oklahoma City will look to regroup quickly as the series progresses, while Indiana rides high on another unforgettable finish from its rising star.
With Game 2 looming, all eyes will be on how both teams adjust and whether Tyrese Halliburton can continue his clutch heroics to push the Pacers closer to their elusive first championship in the modern NBA era.
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