In heart-warming Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Tyrees Halliburton delivered a moment for his age. The Indiana Pacers’ All-Star Guard sank a mid-range jumper that sealed off a dramatic 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder with just 0.3 seconds left on the watch. Due to the franchise that has not reached the NBA Finals in 25 years, the Halliburton heroes have boosted a great deal of confidence in their quest for the championship as well as thrilling victory.
The moment you define the game
With the Pacer alone and the game seemed to slide down, head coach Rick Carlisle drew the final play for the timeout. target? Halliburton – A common and aggressive catalyst in Indiana floors. The inbound discovered he was near the top of the key. He took a single dribble to the left and rose to his feet above Thunder defender Rudort’s extended arm, knocking the jumper down calmly.
The arena exploded. Halliburton is known for being a more selfish playmaking than the slower heroics of the game, and was caught between his eccentric teammates and ran back to the stone face. Oklahoma City didn’t have time to respond. The buzzer rang and Game 1 was from the Indiana Pacers.
Halliburton’s quiet start, loud finish
What made the final shot even more impressive was how quiet Haliburton was for most of the night. Through three-quarters he had just nine points and seemed to struggle to find his rhythm. Oklahoma City’s defense relentlessly covered him with traps and ousted the ball from his hand.
But Halliburton remained patient. He oversaw the attack, found his teammates and waited for his moment. That moment was the final 90 seconds, and he scored, including The Dagger, when he scored six of Indiana’s final eight points. He finished with 14 points, 10 boards, 6 assists and 46% shooting. This is a statistical line that doesn’t fully capture his impact on the outcome of the game.
Thunder strikes first, but cannot finish
The Thunder got into Game 1 and went high. They dominated the Western Conference playoffs. True to the shape, Gilegeous-Alexander was spectacular in Game 1, dropping 38 points with various floaters, pull-ups and acrobatic drives. He looked vulnerable all night, thundering 15 points in the third quarter.
Oklahoma City exploited Indiana’s sloppy state early, forcing 19 turnovers in the first half alone. The Pacers seemed out of sync and rattled with the length of the Thunder and defensive pressure. However, as the game wore it up, Indiana calmed down, adjusting to the speed of the finals and starting to chip in the deficit.
Pacer Support Cast Steps Up
Halliburton delivered a signature moment, but he didn’t do it alone. Miles Turner was huge at both ends of the floor, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rims gave Indiana a chance to fight.
Obitopin brought energy from the bench and offered 17 points and a key putback dunk later in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to one. Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard played perhaps his best game in the postseason. Gonzaga’s second-year security guard continued to flow the offense as Halliburton sat down, hugging himself against one of the league’s most dynamic goalkeepers, spending some time defending Gilgauss Alexander.
Together, the ensemble cast of pacers gave Halliburton a platform to shine.
The reincarnation of the franchise
This final run has been made for Indiana for years. After decades of mediocrity and multiple first-round playoff exits, Pacer has remodeled the roster of youth, versatility, and pointlessness. Harriburton, bought in 2022 with a bold midseason trade, was at the heart of that shift.
His arrival changed culture. Pacers play faster, share the ball more, and defend with collective strength. And although Halliburton was already considered a rising star, his Game 1 performance showed that he could deliver under the brightest light.
For the city of Indianapolis, the winner of Halliburton was a cathartic release, as they had been hunger for the NBA glory since the Reggie Miller days. Fans cried out in celebration and felt that this could be the beginning of something special.
Thunder was surprised
For the Thunder, Game 1 was a gut punch. They did so many things right. Their defensive rotation was sharp, their ball movements were sharp, their benches provided a solid minute. Jalen Williams added 17 points, while Chet Holmgren had 6 points and 6 rebounds.
But that wasn’t enough. Oklahoma City struggled to run in the final minutes, missing out on open looks and committed expensive turnovers. A suspicious no-call on Gilgauss Alexander’s final drive with 12 seconds left gave Indiana a final chance.
Manager Mark Deenoo emphasized after the postgame that it was a 7-game series and that his younger team would be reorganized. But there’s no doubt that you’ll lose Game 1 with such a dramatic fashion stab.
What’s next in the series?
When Pacers increase between 1-0, the pressure will respond by transitioning to lightning in Game 2. Adjustments are expected. Especially in the way that Haliburton is handled in later game situations. Their defensive expert, Dort, is likely to be appointed in Indiana’s star guard in a few more minutes, hopefully removing pressure from Gilgauss Alexander, hoping that Oklahoma City will make more game attacks through second-round scorers.
For Indiana, Game 2 is a big opportunity. Beating the opener was a big deal. Taking a 2–0 lead on the road, the series is leaning dramatically. But they need to keep on getting a big contribution from their bench to clean up sales and pull it apart.
Carlisle’s team has already shown that they can punch back after adversity, but doing it twice in Oklahoma City will make a strong statement.
The Heritage Moment of Halliburton
Moments like the game winners of Halliburton often define a career. Though only 24 years old, Halliburton is already considered one of the league’s best security guards. This shot measured his status to a new level in the final, on a road where the clock took less than a second.
He joined a short list of players who won games in the NBA Finals and joined names such as Michael Jordan, Kyrie Irving, and Ray Allen. The series still has a long way to go, but Halliburton’s buzzer beaters are already etched into NBA lore.
More than that, we introduced the DNA of this Pacers team.
Final Thoughts
Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals met all expectations. This was a battle between two rising teams led by two of the league’s brightest young stars. And while Shy Gilgauss Alexander blinded him as expected, it was Tyreze Halliburton who owned the night with his 0.3-second masterpiece.
The Pacers currently hold a 1-0 series lead and momentum. However, if the game was any indication, fans are taking part in the wild and unforgettable final series. Game 2 cannot come anytime soon.
