The Thunder built a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, but never experienced the Pacers.
The Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals outperform “small market” billing
USA Today Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt categorizes the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sports Pulse
Oklahoma City – Disappointed and encouraged.
Angry and optimistic.
These were the feelings the Indiana Pacers felt throughout Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Disappointed and angry about not being able to protect basketball, he ended up with 20 first-half turnovers.
“They are defensively threats,” Pacers manager Rick Carlisle said.
Sloppy play allowed the Thunder to take a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
But they never really left the game, encouraging them to tie or lead the lead later in the fourth quarter, encouraging them to be optimistic and being optimistic.
Pacer took a lead in Game 1 once. When most important.
Tyrees Halliburton’s 21-foot jump shot with 0.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter won 111-110 on Thursday, June 5th, taking a 1-0 series lead.
It left the lightning, and their fans were surprised.
“They are the general denominators,” said Thunder coach Mark Dain O’s. “It’s a really good team. Please praise their run, not just tonight, but they don’t seem to be likely to do that.
Carlisle once again marveled at his team’s ability to continue playing, and saw what his score was when the final horn rang out and marveled at Halliburton’s ability to play huge games.
Game 1 was the Pacers’ fifth comeback victory in the 2025 NBA playoffs from a deficit of 15 points or more, with the team’s most in their first postseason since 1998.
“We said, ‘Hey, let’s keep cutting rocks. We’ve got to keep smashing rocks, we’ve just got to wander off the tip and wandering around,” Carlisle said. “We’ve had a lot of experience with these kinds of games, and our peers really felt good about it being everything and gave us a chance for ourselves.
The team and players made their own fortunes, and the Pacers did that.
The Thunder led 108-99 with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter. They made only one basket left of the game when the Pacers played after play.
Andrew Nembhard cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 108-105 at the 1:59 mark and made two free throws at 1:22, keeping the 3-point game 110-107. Pascal Siakam went 110-109, and the Pacers missed NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 11.1 seconds left.
Aaron Nesmith collected rebounds, gave the ball to Halliburton and set up a winning shot.
“I’m clearly confident in my abilities and when I can get there, I feel very comfortable there,” Halliburton said. “It’s just a shot I’ve worked millions and I’ll work millions more on it. Just be confident in that shot.”
It was the fourth playoffs that Halliburton won the game or sent the game overtime.
“I don’t think the game is over,” Halliburton said. “Never once.”
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
Follow NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on social media @jeffzillgitt
