The Indiana Pacers have a flair for the dramatic.
Trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers mounted a remarkable comeback. Tyrese Haliburton sealed the victory with a jumper that put them ahead with just 0.3 seconds left. According to sports research, this is the latest game-winning shot in a Finals game since Michael Jordan`s in Game 1 of the 1997 Finals.
Indiana secured the 111-110 win on the subsequent possession, stunning the Thunder and taking a 1-0 lead in the Finals. The Pacers remarkably didn`t hold a lead until Haliburton`s final shot. This postseason, Indiana has now overcome five deficits of 15 points or more, the highest number by any team in a single postseason since 1998.
This 15-point fourth-quarter comeback victory also ties for the largest in the Finals over the last 50 years. Coincidentally, the head coach for the only other instance was also the Pacers` current coach, Rick Carlisle.
Haliburton`s game-winner adds to his growing reputation for clutch play. He now has five career tying or go-ahead field goals in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime during the playoffs, tying him with Reggie Miller for second most since at least 1997.
The Pacers` latest thrilling postseason performance generated excitement across the sports world. Notable reactions came from Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Haliburton himself also took to social media after the game, referencing the successful debut of his new Puma signature shoes.
