Pacers stun Thunder with last-second Haliburton game-winner

In the United States, the Indiana Pacers achieved a remarkable comeback during the NBA Finals on Thursday night, overcoming a 15-point deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110. The game, held at the Pacers' home venue, featured a tense fourth quarter where the Thunder had a significant advantage. However, the Pacers capitalized on their opportunities and executed a series of strategic plays to reclaim momentum late in the game. With just 0.3 seconds left on the clock, Tyrese Haliburton hit a pull-up jumper that marked Indiana’s first lead of the game, sealing the victory. Early in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, seemed poised for a victory, having established a 15-point lead. As the game progressed, the Pacers called a crucial timeout and made an impressive 15-4 run, narrowing the gap significantly. With the clock winding down, the Pacers managed to outscore the Thunder 32 to 16 in the final 9:27 of the game. Haliburton's decisive shot underscored the strength and resilience of the Indiana team, which had previously been labeled as underdogs in the championship series. Throughout the season, the Pacers have demonstrated remarkable tenacity, with this game marking their fifth comeback from a double-digit deficit in the playoffs. Remarkably, no single Pacers player scored over 20 points, as collective effort saw six players reach double digits. Haliburton finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds, summarizing a balanced team performance against the league's best. Following the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder remarked on the importance of returning to their fundamental principles as they prepared for the next game. The Thunder had the best regular-season record, yet they faltered at a crucial moment. As they look forward to Game 2, they must regroup and address the late-game lapses that allowed Indiana to orchestrate such a dramatic upset. The series, now in favor of the Pacers, highlights the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball and sets the stage for an exciting competition ahead.