Pacers’ Victory in NBA Finals Game 1 Cut Short by Local News

Who really wants to miss all the excitement of an incredible comeback? That’s the question facing fans in Indiana after local ABC affiliates decided to prioritize their nightly news over the thrilling finish of the Game 1 NBA Finals, where the Pacers edged out the Thunder 111-110 on Thursday.

Viewers tuning into Fort Wayne’s WPTA caught a glimpse of a pivotal moment—Pascal Siakam blocking a shot from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with just over a minute left, as the Pacers trailed 110-107. However, before the game could fully unfold, the broadcast abruptly shifted to news coverage with only a minute left on the clock.

What followed was a rather disheartening lead story.

WPTA, an ABC affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been cut from Game 1 coverage to tease upcoming news. Incidentally, one of the segments being teased was the Game 1 Watch Party.

As the news unfolded, fans learned about a serious incident involving a man beaten at a local pub. Anchor Amir Abbas shared, “In the next 21 Alive News, the man cruelly beaten in a Pike pub last week came forward. This is what he wants to happen now.” Meanwhile, they showcased bars filled with patrons eagerly watching the Finals.

“It’s a big night for Pacer fans as Indiana is in the NBA Finals tonight,” Abbas reported, hinting at a segment highlighting local businesses benefiting from the game’s excitement.

The weather was then announced, while Abbas briefly mentioned the game, with the score at 110-109 and 37 seconds on the clock. Fans missed a critical moment when Andrew Nembhard missed a three-pointer, allowing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score an offensive rebound and close the gap to just one point with 48 seconds remaining.

But thankfully, they didn’t miss the most thrilling part. Indiana’s defense held strong against two Thunder attempts in the final seconds. Tyrese Haliburton clinched the win with a jumper just 0.3 seconds left on the clock.

Much like their earlier feat against the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers rallied from a daunting 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the home side. The Thunder were ahead 94-79 with just under ten minutes to go.

“Men, basketball is fun,” Haliburton commented afterward. “It’s fun to win.”

Game 2 tips off on Sunday at 8 pm.