NBA Finals Game 1 highlights: Pacers shock Thunder with epic comeback, led by Haliburton’s clutch shot

Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left helped Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

Published on: Jun 6, 2025, 10:28:29 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-110 victory in a thrilling Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Thursday. The game came down to the wire, with Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton hitting a game-winning shot with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock. Trailing by 15 points entering the fourth quarter, Indiana staged a massive comeback, marking the third 15-point fourth-quarter rally in NBA Finals history since 1971.

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, (Getty Images via AFP)

Haliburton was the standout for the Pacers, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. His performance has sparked early Finals MVP buzz. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with an impressive 32 points.

“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.”

Also Read: Indiana Pacers’ TJ McConnell turns up for NBA Finals game wearing sister Megan's new WNBA jersey

Game 1 highlights -

Tyrese Haliburton: Haliburton nailed a game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left. His clutch basket finished a huge comeback, with Haliburton contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. His cool-headed play has fans talking about him as a Finals MVP contender. “Man, basketball's fun,” Haliburton said. “Winning is fun.”
Pacers' comeback: Trailing 98-83 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Pacers staged a stunning rally. This comeback ranks among the most significant in NBA Finals history.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's performance: The Thunder’s star guard poured in 32 points, including critical buckets that gave his team a six-point lead in the final minutes.
Alex Caruso' highlight: Alex Caruso electrified fans with a standout coast-to-coast play. The 31-year-old Thunder guard snatched a defensive rebound, raced down the court, and finished with a tough and-1 layup, drawing a foul. The moment went viral on social media.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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