‘Man it’s fun': Tyrese Haliburton after lifting Pacers with clutch show vs Thunder in NBA Finals Game 1

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton delivered another postseason masterpiece in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals

Updated on: Jun 6, 2025, 09:51:05 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton delivered another postseason masterpiece in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, sinking a dramatic last-second shot to secure a stunning comeback victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers' win in Game 1 (Getty Images via AFP)

Trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers clawed back, with Haliburton’s heroics sealing an improbable road win.

Haliburton’s game-winning shot capped a resilient effort for Indiana, which overcame OKC’s dominance for most of the night. The Thunder controlled the pace early, but the Pacers stayed within striking distance, fueled by Haliburton’s clutch playmaking.

His buzzer-beater electrified the crowd and handed Indiana a 1-0 series lead. He had a double-double: 14 points (6/13 FG, 2/7 3P) and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes, with 6 assists and a +12 plus-minus, showcasing his all-around impact.

In his postgame interview, Haliburton radiated joy, capturing the moment perfectly: “Basketball is just pure fun, man. Nothing beats winning like this."

As the Pacers eye a 2-0 lead in Game 2 on Saturday, Haliburton’s late-game magic remains the focal point. His ability to deliver under pressure—evident in his 46.2% FG and 28.6% 3P in Game 1 poses a challenge for OKC’s defense, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Pacers turned the ball over 25 times, trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter against a team with the best home record in the NBA and had no answers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the NBA MVP who led all scorers with 38 points.

“We've had lots of experience in these kinds of games,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.

“That’s a really good team," Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. "Credit them for not only tonight but their run. They've had so many games like that that have seemed improbable. And they just play with a great spirit and they keep coming. They keep playing.”

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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