In a thrilling beginning to the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers staged a dramatic 111–110 comeback victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 on Wednesday night. Due to a cold-blooded jumper by Tyrese Haliburton with only 0.3 seconds remaining on the clock, the Pacers took victory from the brink of defeat—never once leading until that last shot.
Pacers Make History with Grit and Guts
This was not an ordinary victory. It was the first Indiana lead of the game, and it couldn’t have come at a more pivotal moment. The Pacers rallied from a 15-point fourth-quarter gap, continuing to show that resilience is their superpower this playoffs. Actually, this was their fifth come-from-behind victory after being down 15 or more points in these playoffs—a benchmark that stretches back to the 1998 playoffs.
Tyrese Haliburton: The Hero Indiana Needed
Haliburton, who has become the face of this Pacers team, closed out the game with a hero’s performance, capped by his game-winning 21-foot step-back jumper shot. The roaring crowd at Paycom Center fell silent as Haliburton’s dagger dropped, sending a thunderous message across the league—Indiana isn’t just showing up, they’re coming for the crown.
“Been counted out all year, but we do believe in each other,” Haliburton said after the game. “This team doesn’t give up. This team fights.”
Thunder Struggle Despite Solid Beginning
Oklahoma City gets hurt by this loss. The Thunder took the lead for every minute of 48—until that last 0.3 seconds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren played well, but a couple of missed free throws and late-game turnovers took their toll.
Despite boasting the NBA’s top regular-season record at 68–14, the Thunder now face an early 0–1 hole in the Finals series. Game 2 will prove to be a true test of their mental resilience and capacity to recover.
Key Stats – NBA Finals Game 1
Final Score: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Top Scorer: Tyrese Haliburton – 27 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for the Thunder, dropping 29 points and dishing out 8 assists in a standout performance.
Turnovers: Thunder 14, Pacers 9
Rebounds: Thunder 44, Pacers 39
SportSnip Analysis: Momentum Shift in the Making?
Game 1 is usually a tone-setter—and Indiana just pilfered it on enemy grounds. Sure, OKC still has the weaponry to counter, but the Pacers have now gained home-court advantage. And more crucially, they’ve proven they can take it when the cards are against them.
Psychologically, Oklahoma City has to bounce back from a heartbreaker, while Indiana is flying on faith. If the Thunder can’t reboot by Sunday night’s Game 2, this series could easily turn in Indiana’s direction.
Why This Win Matters
This series is the first-ever Finals trip for both organizations in their respective cities. It’s not only a war for the championship—it’s a sprint to become part of NBA lore. And following Game 1, it’s apparent this Finals will be anything but forgettable.
What’s Next?
Game 2: Sunday, June 8 | Venue: Paycom Center, OKC
Series Standings: Indiana Pacers lead 1–0
Stay tuned to SportSnip.com for daily updates, in-depth analysis, and all the action from the 2025 NBA Finals—start to finish.
