In a heart-stopping finish to Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton lifted the Indiana Pacers to a stunning 111–110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton's 21-foot pull-up jumper with just 0.3 seconds left gave Indiana its first and only lead of the night, silencing a roaring crowd at the Paycom Center and delivering a signature moment in what’s shaping up to be a historic series.Oklahoma City appeared in full control for most of the night, spearheaded by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who tallied 38 points in a dazzling offensive display. The Thunder built a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter, only to unravel under pressure. Critical turnovers and missed opportunities allowed the Pacers to mount a comeback that flipped the script in the game’s final minutes.
The turning point came in the second half, where the Pacers outscored the Thunder 66–45. Indiana forced 25 turnovers—the most in an NBA Finals game this century—and turned them into high-efficiency transition offense. Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith hit clutch three-pointers that swung the momentum, while Haliburton orchestrated the offense with poise and confidence. The win marks Indiana’s third consecutive Game 1 road victory this postseason, a testament to the team’s resilience and composure under pressure. Their ability to seize late-game moments has become a defining trait, fueling optimism that the franchise could be on the verge of its first-ever NBA title.
The Thunder will have little time to regroup before Game 2, scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET. Playing again at home, Oklahoma City faces a crucial opportunity to level the series. Head coach Mark Daigneault will need answers to the Pacers' defensive pressure and late-game execution if the Thunder hope to bounce back.Despite the thrilling nature of the game, it failed to capture national attention. Game 1 recorded the lowest TV ratings for an NBA Finals opener in 37 years, raising concerns about the league’s waning mainstream appeal—particularly with two smaller-market teams competing on the biggest stage.
As the series unfolds, the question remains: Can Indiana maintain its momentum and continue its underdog run toward a championship, or will Oklahoma City regroup and reignite its title ambitions? With both teams hungry for their first title in decades—or ever—the stage is set for a Finals that could defy expectations, both on the court and in the league’s broader narrative.
