Tyrese Haliburton’s Recreation-Winner Lifts Pacers in Gorgeous Recreation 1 Upset

With 0.3 seconds left on the clock, Tyrese Haliburton drilled a clutch 21-foot jumper to provide the Indiana Pacers a 111-110 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Recreation 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The shot surprised the OKC crowd. Moreover, it capped off a wild fourth-quarter comeback that gave Indiana a 1-0 lead within the collection.

Recreation 1 was performed at Paycom Middle in Oklahoma Metropolis on June 5, 2025. Regardless of trailing many of the recreation and turning the ball over 24 instances, the Pacers outscored the Thunder 35-22 within the fourth quarter. Because of this, they managed to to claw their manner again. Haliburton’s dagger not solely sealed the victory however added to his rising legend as a clutch performer on this postseason.

Now, he’s executed it on the largest stage.

Pacers Rally Behind Haliburton’s Heroics

Haliburton performed 39 minutes and logged a well-rounded stat line: 14 factors, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and a +12 plus-minus. Although not his highest-scoring recreation, the ultimate shot elevated his efficiency into the highlight.

This wasn’t new territory for the 24-year-old level guard. Haliburton had already hit a number of game-winners earlier within the 2025 playoffs:

• April 29 vs. Milwaukee: Recreation-winner with 1.4 seconds left
• Might 6 vs. Cleveland: Buzzer-beater with 1.1 seconds left
• Might 21 vs. New York: Compelled OT with a zero-second jumper, led to 138-135 win

His last shot in Recreation 1, described as a “circus shot” by ESPN, got here simply contained in the arc over tight protection, confirming his standing as essentially the most clutch participant on this postseason.

Thunder Collapse After Robust Begin

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did the whole lot he may to safe a Recreation 1 win for the Thunder. He dropped 38 factors, with 5 rebounds and three assists on 14-of-30 capturing. Nonetheless, a missed shot within the last minute left the door open for Haliburton’s heroics.

The Thunder regarded in management early, holding a 15-point lead and dominating turnovers—forcing 24 whereas solely committing six themselves. However Indiana adjusted within the second half, committing solely 6 extra turnovers and capturing 6-of-10 from three within the fourth quarter alone.

Jalen Williams added 17 factors for OKC, whereas Lu Dort chipped in 15 and performed suffocating perimeter protection all through many of the evening. Chet Holmgren was quiet, scoring simply 6 factors with 6 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Full Stat Breakdown

Prime Pacers Performers:

• Pascal Siakam: 19 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast
• Andrew Nembhard: 14 pts, 6 ast
• Myles Turner: 15 pts, 9 reb
• Aaron Nesmith: 10 pts, 12 reb
• Obi Toppin (bench): 17 pts, 5 reb
• T.J. McConnell (bench): 9 pts, 4 ast

Staff Taking pictures:

• FG%: 47.6%
• 3P%: 46.2% (18-of-39)
• FT%: 71.4%

Prime Thunder Performers:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 38 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
• Jalen Williams: 17 pts, 6 ast
• Lu Dort: 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 stl

Staff Taking pictures:

• FG%: 39.8%
• 3P%: 36.7%
• FT%: 87.5%

Regardless of forcing 24 turnovers and capturing extra photographs general, the Thunder had been out-rebounded 56-39 and allowed Indiana to search out rhythm late.

Social Media Explodes After Haliburton’s Shot

Followers on X exploded with reactions to Haliburton’s buzzer-beater:

• @TWDTV1: “WHAT THE HELLY AGAIN!!! Tyrese Haliburton with one other MASSIVE SHOT.”
• @GoIdenState: “TYRESE HALIBURTON DOES IT AGAIN OMFGGGGG. GAME WINNER IN THE FINALS.”
• @HoodieRamey: “Haliburton is ICE chilly. Insane clutch gene.”

Even celebrities chimed in. Patrick Mahomes tweeted a flame emoji and reposted the spotlight clip. Caitlin Clark additionally posted a response with the phrases: “Haliburton acquired that DAWG in him.”

Pacers followers in attendance on the official Gainbridge Fieldhouse watch get together had been seen erupting because the shot fell. The power has since carried over to social media, the place the hashtag #Haliburton and “Pacers” started trending inside minutes.

A Defining Second in Haliburton’s Profession

Recreation 1 was Haliburton’s signature second on the largest stage but. Although not his most statistically dominant evening, it was his calm below stress and knack for locating the proper angle that proved the distinction. NBA analysts like Chiney Ogwumike referred to as it “some of the clutch Finals moments in latest reminiscence.”

The Pacers, who entered the Finals with out home-court benefit, have now flipped the collection with a street win. If this stage of clutch play continues, Haliburton may emerge because the face of a brand new period in Indiana basketball.

Tyrese Haliburton has constructed a status for his game-winners within the 2025 postseason. As a result of the Pacers performed injured groups in 2024, their 2024 playoff run confronted scrutiny. This 12 months, the Pacers gained 50 video games, earned dwelling courtroom vs. Milwaukee, defeated a wholesome 64-18 Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 video games, dispatched the New York Knicks in six video games, after which made it to the NBA Finals for the primary time in 25 years.

In Haliburton’s NBA Finals debut, he calmly made the game-winning shot, capping off a double digit fourth quarter comeback.

Wanting Forward to Recreation 2

The Thunder now face stress heading into Recreation 2. With OKC’s youth and athleticism, they continue to be a risk to bounce again. However with Haliburton constructing a resume of late-game magic and Indiana firing on all cylinders, the collection narrative has already shifted.

Given how the Pacers have made Recreation 1 on the street look, through the 2025 NBA Playoffs, it’s nearly like a entice recreation for any staff with dwelling courtroom benefit. Within the earlier two rounds, the Pacers’ Recreation 1 opponents haven’t been capable of recuperate from the Recreation 1 loss. However Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Thunder by way of adversity, already, in these NBA Playoffs.

In reality, through the second spherical, the Thunder had an identical Recreation 1 collapse vs. the Denver Nuggets. Then, it regarded as if OKC would lose within the second spherical. Aaron Gordon was the hero then, who stored capping off comebacks. Someway, the Thunder overcame that and SGA wound up being the hero. Now, he has three extra possibilities to proper this ship.

Recreation 2 will tip off on June 8 in Oklahoma Metropolis. However the reminiscence of Recreation 1—and Haliburton’s cold-blooded winner—will linger lengthy after.