Pacers Stun Thunder in NBA Finals Game 1 with Last-Second Shot

In an amazing start to the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1. 

Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers made a fantastic shot with only 0.3 seconds left, giving his team the win.

The game, played on June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City, showed how the Pacers never gave up. They came back from being 15 points behind in the last part of the game, shocking everyone and making the Thunder's fans totally silent.

How the Game Went Down:

At first, the Thunder, who had a great season, looked very strong. Their defense was tough, making the Pacers lose the ball a lot. The Thunder's best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored a lot of points early on.

The Pacers struggled with losing the ball in the first half, making 19 mistakes. They were behind by 12 points at halftime. But even with their mistakes, they kept the game close.

In the third quarter, the Pacers started to play better and made fewer mistakes. They slowly caught up. But by the start of the final quarter, the Thunder were still ahead by a good amount, 94-79, and it looked like they would win easily.

The Amazing Comeback:

But the Pacers are known for making big comebacks this year, and they did it again! They scored 12 points very quickly, thanks to some important three-point shots and a driving shot from Pascal Siakam. Suddenly, the Thunder's lead was only one point with less than a minute left.

Then, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed a shot for the Thunder. This gave Haliburton his chance. With only 0.3 seconds left, he shot from far away, and the ball went right in! The crowd went completely quiet. After checking the video, the shot counted, and the Pacers won!

Haliburton's Big Moment:

Tyrese Haliburton has a history of making big shots when it matters most. This game-winner was his fourth time doing so in the final seconds of a game this season. He ended with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Even though these weren't his highest numbers, his ability to make the winning shot was huge.

Team Effort for the Pacers:

While Haliburton got the glory, other Pacers players also played a big part. Siakam scored the most points for the team with 19. Obi Toppin came off the bench and added 17 points, including five three-pointers. Other players like Nembhard, Turner, and McConnell also made important contributions. Even though they made 25 turnovers (a lot for a game), they still managed to win because they shot well and the Thunder didn't.

Thunder's Missed Chance:

For the Thunder, this was a tough loss. Gilgeous-Alexander played great, scoring 38 points, but his teammates didn't score as much. Their defense was strong at first, but they couldn't stop the Pacers at the end. They also shot poorly overall.

What's Next?

The Pacers winning Game 1 means they now have an advantage and a lot of confidence. But the Thunder are still a very strong team and are expected to win the series. The Pacers will need to make fewer mistakes and keep playing well on offense.

For the Thunder, Game 2 on Sunday, June 8, is very important. They don't want to be down 0-2 before going to Indiana. They will need more players to score and might change their game plan to deal with the Pacers' fast style.

An Exciting Series Ahead!

Game 1 showed that this will be a thrilling series between two young and exciting teams. The Pacers are the underdogs, led by Haliburton and their smart coach. The Thunder are a powerhouse with their star player and tough defense. Both teams play fast, so expect more exciting games with close finishes.

Everyone is talking about Haliburton's amazing shot and if the Pacers can keep their dream run going. For now, Indiana has taken the first step, proving they belong in the NBA Finals. But the Thunder are not giving up, and this series is going to be a classic!