The Indiana Pacers capping a shocking Game 1 NBA Finals comeback, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder after trailing by 40 at halftime. They overcame a 15-point hole in the fourth quarter and pulled out an electrifying 101-99 win! Tyrese Haliburton’s late jumper served as the game-winning shot, marking it as the latest game-winning basket in an NBA Finals since Michael Jordan’s iconic shot in 1997.
From the opening whistle, it was an electric match. Oklahoma City raced out in front, carrying a formidable 15-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle called a timeout and made a bold decision to substitute all five players in search of renewed energy. That was all a prelude to a terrific Indiana comeback, triggered largely by that strategic move.
Haliburton later expressed their team’s resilience during an interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” He continued, “We just don’t stop telling you all that. Quit asking the question, America, and America’s answer is going to continue to be No! We’re a pretty tough bunch ourselves and we don’t roll over until zero hour arrives. We’ve become really good at simply being present.
Pascal Siakam took the reins offensively, his 19 points helping carry a big comeback charge with Haliburton. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was thoroughly in control, leading all players with 38 points.
The Thunder were 36-1 at home this year when taking a 15-point lead into halftime. That made Indiana’s triumph all the more historic. And of course, those Pacers pulled off the second-biggest upset in Finals history over the last 35 years. They built flexibility into their roster and demonstrated their capacity to win different styles of games all year.
Haliburton couldn’t agree more with his teammate on the team’s versatility, saying, “We’ve had to win so many different ways all year. The Pacers’ previous games illustrate this adaptability. They overcame deficits against teams like Milwaukee and Cleveland in crucial moments leading up to the Finals.
The Pacers are preparing to face the Thunder Sunday night in Oklahoma City, Game 2 of this fascinating matchup. They hope to continue their momentum from this surprise win at the federal level. Couple that with their fierce determination and clutch performance when it matters most and they’re one of the worst nightmare-producing teams for the Thunder.
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