The 2025 NBA Finals began with another late-game miracle by the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana trailed by 9 points with just over three minutes left in Game 1 but stormed back to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111–110. It’s the first time in 183 NBA Finals games since 1971 that a team has come back from a 9-point deficit in the final three minutes to win.
The win continues a pattern seen throughout the Pacers’ postseason: no lead is safe — especially against Indiana.
“We’ve had so many weird wins during the regular season [and] the playoffs,” Tyrese Haliburton said after the game. “So why would that change because we’re here in the Finals?”
The Pacers now lead the best-of-seven series 1–0 heading into Game 2 on Sunday.
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The Pacers’ improbable Game 1 win is just the latest in a string of comebacks that have defined their postseason run and broken the brackets of many.
In Game 5 of the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton drove by Giannis Antetokounmpo for a game-winning layup. The 119–118 victory clinched the series and set the tone for the postseason.
Then, in Game 2 in Cleveland, it was all but lost for Indiana — until it wasn’t. The Pacers overcame a 20-point deficit to win 120-119, after Haliburton grabbed his own rebound off a missed free throw, pulled back behind the arc, and drilled a step-back three-pointer to steal the game.
And then there was the Game 1 show at Madison Square Garden. Aaron Nesmith’s late-game barrage of threes pulled the Pacers, who had been down by 14 with three minutes left, within striking distance.
Haliburton drove to the basket with seconds left and found the New York Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson in his way. Just like in Cleveland, he quickly pulled back behind the three-point line and, with his foot on the line, hit a deep two that miraculously went in after bouncing high in the air, to send the game to overtime. Indiana went on to win 138–135.
And then there was what happened last night in OKC.
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Game 1 Recap: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
In a game that looked like it belonged to Oklahoma City for three and a half quarters, the Pacers delivered another shocker — rallying from 15 points down in the fourth to steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals, 111–110.
The Thunder came out sharp and built their early lead behind tough defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points and was in control much of the night. But OKC’s first-half dominance masked its struggles on the shooting end.
Oklahoma City shot 39.8% from the field and 36.7% from deep. Jalen Williams returned to cold shooting, scoring 17 points on 6 of 19 shooting from the field.
Indiana, on the other hand, was sloppy early. They committed 19 turnovers in the first half alone — a season high for any half — and trailed by double digits at halftime.
But the second half was a different story. The Pacers tightened up, turning the ball over just five times after the break, and began chipping away at the Thunder’s lead.
Haliburton ended the game with a triple-double, scoring 14 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and delivering 10 assists. He also delivered the game’s biggest moment — a pull-up jumper with 0.3 seconds left to win the game.
But the Pacers’ victory was also due to the sum of its parts. Pascal Siakam led the way with just 19 points, while Aaron Nesmith chipped in 10. Six different Pacers scored in double figures, showcasing the scoring depth that has defined their playoff run.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, committed just six turnovers all night and held a nine-point lead with under three minutes to go. But Indiana ramped up the pressure defensively and got key buckets down the stretch. The Thunder missed their final three field goal attempts, and Indiana ended the game on a 12–2 run.
The Thunder were careful with the ball, committing just 6 turnovers, but couldn’t find answers late. They were outscored 35–25 in the fourth quarter as Indiana’s poise and ball movement took over.
Team Stats
- Indiana: 47.6% FG, 46.2% 3PT, 56 REB (13 offensive), 24 TO
- Oklahoma City: 39.8% FG, 36.7% 3PT, 39 REB (10 offensive), 6 TO
Series Prediction: Thunder in six.
Next Game: Sunday, June 8, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers: 2025 NBA Finals Schedule and Results
Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
Game 2: Sunday, June 8, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 3: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 4: Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 16, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 19, 2025, 8:30 PM Eastern — Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | TICKETS
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 22, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern — Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | TICKETS
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