Magic Johnson, Caitlin Clark, others go crazy after Pacers' Game 1 heroics vs Oklahoma: ‘You can’t make…'

Tyrese Haliburton sent shockwaves through the NBA world on Thursday after nailing a game-winning clutch shot

Updated on: Jun 6, 2025, 10:36:22 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Tyrese Haliburton sent shockwaves through the NBA world on Thursday after nailing a game-winning clutch shot with 0.3 seconds left to lift the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 111–110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. The Pacers’ star guard’s fourth clutch playoff shot of 2025 drew awe from NBA icons like Magic Johnson and Caitlin Clark.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrate after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

With the Thunder leading by 15 in the fourth quarter, Haliburton orchestrated a relentless Pacers comeback, culminating in his buzzer-beater over Cason Wallace. The shot, captured in a viral image of Haliburton celebrating with teammate Aaron Nesmith, handed Indiana a 1-0 series lead as 9.5-point underdogs.

NBA legend Magic Johnson posted on X, “Tyrese Haliburton’s incredible shot sealed an epic fourth-quarter comeback for the Pacers in Game 1!”

Caitlin Clark, a noted Pacers fan, wrote, “YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP” with 17 crying-laughing emojis.

Pat McAfee, in a jubilant video, dubbed him “TYRESE HALIBIGSHOT,” shouting, “1-0 Pacers, baby! We’re dancing!” with Haliburton’s father in attendance.

Tyrese Maxey posted “Wow,” and P.J. Washington called it a “Big time shot."

However, the mood inside Paycom Center was quite different. Thunder fans fell silent, exiting somberly after a game they dominated early. Pacers supporters, including McAfee, who embraced Nesmith during May’s Eastern Conference Finals, erupted in joy.

The win marked a historic moment for both franchises, neither of which has won an NBA title in their current forms.

"I'm confident in my ability and feel like if I can get to my spot I'm really comfortable from there. I really had confidence in my shot," Haliburton said of the game winner.

As the Pacers prepare for Game 2 on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 8 PM ET, Haliburton’s clutch reputation sets the stage for another thriller. OKC, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38 points, aims to rebound.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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