NBA Finals 2025: Game 1 Highlights
Before this year’s NBA Finals, most analysts predicted a decisive victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Indiana Pacers. The first three quarters of Game 1 seemed to support these forecasts until a dramatic turn in the final moments.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, demonstrated his prowess by scoring 38 points, leading the Thunder to an early 7-0 lead and a halftime score of 57-45. The Thunder maintained a significant advantage, even leading by 15 points during the fourth quarter.
However, the Pacers displayed their resilience yet again. With only a minute left, they closed the gap to 110-109. Tyrese Haliburton, who had previously excelled under pressure in the playoffs, had a chance to clinch the victory for Indiana. His last-second shot put the Pacers ahead 111-110, just seconds before the buzzer, marking a thrilling finish.
Haliburton’s game-winning shot was the first in a finals game since Michael Jordan’s iconic buzzer-beater in 1997. Reflecting on the victory, Haliburton expressed pride in his team’s determination, stating, “We’re just a really resilient group. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
Indiana demonstrated their knack for comebacks throughout the playoffs, including previous dramatic wins against Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York. Thursday’s victory marked their fifth win after trailing by 15 or more points this postseason, setting an NBA record.
Oklahoma City’s coach, Mark Daigneault, commended the Pacers’ tenacity, acknowledging their improbable run and spirited play. The Pacers’ comeback was the largest fourth-quarter revival in a finals game since 2011, thanks in part to coach Rick Carlisle’s strategic substitutions that sparked the necessary turnaround.
While Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a remarkable performance, scoring the third-most points in an NBA finals debut, the thunderous end was overshadowed by Haliburton’s clutch play. Game 2 of this best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday night in Oklahoma City, as both teams prepare to regroup.
