Pacers Pull Off Unlikely Win in NBA Finals Game 1
Tyrees Halliburton and the Indiana Pacers faced elimination in the playoffs before, but their latest comeback in Game 1 of the NBA Finals may just be their most remarkable yet. The odds seemed stacked against them, especially when the Oklahoma City Thunder built a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Pacers, known for their tenacity throughout the postseason, launched into what some are calling the Magnet Ball Shot Making Run.
As the game progressed, Indiana outplayed the Thunder, ultimately taking their first lead of the entire match. It was a moment that not only surprised fans but also marked a historical achievement. According to Josh Dubow from the Associated Press, Indiana became the first team in NBA Finals history to pull off such a comeback after being down by seven points or more with less than three minutes remaining.
Pacer played at 2:52 at age 9. In the play-by-play era (since the start of the playoffs in 1997), the team was 0-121 in the NBA Finals on a trail of 7 points or more before the final 3:00 in the fourth quarter or tonight.
– Josh Dabo (@joshdubowap)
This victory goes beyond mere stats. It reflects the determination of the Pacers, especially considering they have made significant strides this postseason. According to Maven Keerthika Uthayakumar, they are now the fourth team in nearly three decades to win a playoff game after trailing in the final moments.
Since 1998, only four teams have won the playoff game despite having a lead within 30 seconds.
Spurts at G2 in the 1999 Western Final – 10 seconds
Mavs for G5 in the first round of 2001 -30 seconds
Lakers in the 2002 Western Final – 13 seconds
NBA Finals G1’s 2025 Pacers – 0.3 seconds– Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau)
The win further emphasizes Brett Proof’s reputation for clutch performances alongside Halliburton. It’s interesting, really; it seems like we’ve never seen a player be this reliable when the stakes are high during a playoff run.
Tyrese Haliburton is 7-7 (85.7%) when taking a shot or taking a lead in the fourth or in the final 90 seconds of the playoffs.
This is the most such shots in one postseason since 1997.
– Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau)
To give some context, this performance highlights how Haliburton is shooting at a higher percentage than any player in similarly high-pressure games throughout the season. It’s certainly a noteworthy achievement for the player, considering the intensity of defense he faced.
As for the Pacers, the question remains whether they can achieve the ultimate upset and win the NBA Finals. But one thing is for sure—it won’t be over until that final buzzer sounds.
