The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling opening NBA Finals victory. Their resilience and determination really made them stand out in this exciting competition. Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s star guard, assumed control down the stretch. He hit an incredible mid-range pull up with only 0.3 seconds remaining on the clock to win the game, capping off a brilliant 111-110 comeback win. This marked the Pacers’ first Finals appearance since 2000, and Haliburton’s game-winner became an iconic moment in the franchise’s history.
Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, had predicted the victory, expressing unwavering faith in his son’s team. After the game, he said, “God’s hands are everywhere on this team.” This was a feel-good realization that rang through the Pacers’ locker room as they toasted their terrific underdog accomplishment.
Entering the playoffs as the East’s No. 3 seed, the Pacers had been largely overlooked, with little buzz surrounding their potential. Haliburton and his squad have quieted those naysayers. They had eight wins in clutch situations this playoffs. The surprising underdog team proved their mettle by overcoming a 15-point deficit to take the title. This was their fifth comeback in this postseason already!
Haliburton’s path to this point has been far from a straight shot. He averaged 17.8 points during the first half of the season but was notably left off the NBA All-Star roster. He was vital, in particular, in carrying the Pacers to 50 wins. His efforts helped lead the team to the No. 1 seed in the East during the second half of the season. Haliburton doesn’t think their 2024 Eastern Conference Finals run got the love it should’ve gotten. He thinks that was an overcorrection caused by the fact that they were swept, non-competitively, by the Boston Celtics.
Teammate Aaron Nesmith noted the base level of faith in each other on display by the group. “I’d say the [comeback] belief came in the regular season,” he remarked, emphasizing how their experiences throughout the season fortified their resolve in critical moments.
In his post-game press conference, Haliburton shared his thoughts on the mentality that has powered their unexpected playoff run. Ain’t nobody think we was gonna win this [expletive] to begin with. So, what’s the point of tripping? No one—save for a few diehard fans—predicted us to win even one of the series we entered. So, what’s the point of tripping? His confidence emanated from his every word as he discussed their newfound, shared momentum.
Haliburton remarked on their current situation heading into the Finals, stating, “We are playing with house money, really. We have been playing with house money all playoffs.” Wainwright’s perspective has helped the entire team treat every game with a “nothing-to-lose, everything-to-prove” mindset.
” I’ve been through too much of this over the years. We’ve just got to be very much present in the moment and know what this is all about. This is all about keeping poise and at the same time having a high level of aggression,” he noted.
The Pacers’ victory not only serves as a testament to their skill and teamwork but highlights Haliburton’s growth as a player. His game-winner was his eighth such field goal since the 1998 playoffs. Only LeBron James has broken this remarkable achievement.
As they turn towards the Finals, Tyrese Haliburton and his teammates are still locked in on a bigger prize—playing on and winning it all. The trip has not been an easy one. Through it all, they have faith in themselves and most importantly in one another, so they’re looking forward to taking on whatever’s next.
Leave a Reply