Some moments in sports transcend the game itself. Last night in Indianapolis, Tyrese Haliburton authored one of those moments.
Down to the wire, clock showing a mere 0.3 seconds, Haliburton launched what looked like an impossible prayer from deep. The shot — hanging in the air for what felt like an eternity — found nothing but net, giving the Pacers their first lead of the night and an improbable 111-110 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Let that sink in for a second. These Pacers, who’d been trailing by nine with three minutes left (the kind of deficit that usually sends fans scrambling for their car keys), pulled off yet another miracle finish. At this point, maybe we shouldn’t even call them miracles anymore — they’re becoming something of a habit in Indianapolis.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault’s postgame comments captured the bewilderment perfectly. “Credit them,” he managed, looking like a man who’d just seen a ghost. “They’ve had so many games like that… they just play with a great spirit and keep coming, they keep playing.” Yeah, they sure do.
The timing couldn’t be sweeter for Indianapolis basketball fans. While Haliburton’s creating magic on the NBA hardwood, the city’s newest basketball sensation — WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark — is getting ready to make her own mark. Their budding friendship has become something of a subplot in this wild season, with Haliburton gushing about Clark’s game and character whenever the topic comes up.
“Getting to actually spend time around her, be around her, get to know her personally — she’s just an amazing person and amazing player,” Haliburton shared recently, his enthusiasm genuine and unscripted.
The game itself? Pure chaos in the best possible way. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went absolutely bonkers for OKC, dropping 38 points on 30 shots — the kind of performance that usually leads SportsCenter. But these aren’t your typical Pacers, are they?
(And yeah, Bill Simmons somehow managed to connect this to Nikola Jokic’s earlier playoff showing against the Thunder. Classic Bill, making connections where none exist — though Zach Lowe was quick to pump the brakes on that particular hot take.)
What’s happening in Indianapolis right now feels bigger than basketball. It’s about a city rediscovering its hoops identity through two young stars who represent everything that’s exciting about the sport’s future. Haliburton’s game-winner wasn’t just a shot — it was a statement about where basketball in the Circle City is headed.
Sunday’s Game 2 looms large, with the Thunder looking to even things up at home. But for now? Indianapolis can bask in this moment. Sometimes sports stories write themselves, and this one’s starting to feel like a bestseller in the making.
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