Tyrese Haliburton’s Clutch Heroics Propel Pacers to Overtime Victory Over Knicks in Game 1 Thriller
In a game that will go down as one of the most dramatic in recent NBA playoff history, Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second heroics helped the Indiana Pacers complete a jaw-dropping comeback and snatch a 138-135 overtime win against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night.
The Knicks appeared to have the game under control, holding a commanding 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. The crowd at Madison Square Garden was electric, sensing an early series advantage for the home team. But the Pacers had other plans—led by the sharp-shooting Aaron Nesmith and the ever-composed Haliburton, Indiana mounted a furious rally that flipped the script on an already wild night.
Nesmith was instrumental in fueling the comeback. Catching fire from beyond the arc, he nailed three crucial 3-pointers in quick succession to keep the Pacers within striking distance. His performance from deep was nearly flawless, finishing the game with 30 points while going an incredible 8-for-9 from long range.
Then came the moment that will be replayed for years to come.
With the Pacers trailing by two points and just seconds remaining in regulation, Haliburton found himself in a chaotic final possession. He initially fumbled his dribble, recovered it near the 3-point line, and launched a high-arcing shot just as time expired. The ball hit the rim, bounced high into the air, and seemed to pause in suspense before finally dropping through the net.
“I thought it was going in, then I wasn’t so sure,” Haliburton admitted afterward. “It felt like it was in the air forever.”
As he raced to the sideline in celebration, Haliburton made a familiar gesture to the New York crowd—a choke sign reminiscent of Pacers legend Reggie Miller’s infamous taunt of Spike Lee during Indiana’s iconic 1994 playoff comeback at the Garden. For a brief moment, Haliburton believed his shot was a game-winning 3-pointer. Replays, however, showed his toe was just on the line, officially making it a 2-point basket that tied the game at 125 apiece.
But the Pacers weren’t done.
With momentum on their side, Indiana kept up the pressure in overtime. The back-and-forth battle continued until Andrew Nembhard broke the deadlock with a clutch go-ahead basket with 26 seconds remaining. The Pacers defense then held firm, sealing the victory and stealing Game 1 on the road.
Haliburton was the star of the night, finishing with 31 points and 11 assists, anchoring Indiana’s offense and showing the poise of a veteran leader. His performance was a blend of creativity, resilience, and clutch execution—traits that define playoff greatness.
With Game 2 set for Friday night, the Pacers carry a wave of momentum, while the Knicks are left to regroup after a stunning collapse. One thing is certain: this series is far from over, but if Game 1 is any indication, fans are in for an unforgettable battle.