The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in the NBA Finals. This game was an instant classic. If the Finals continue to go this way, these Finals could be one of the more entertaining NBA Finals of all-time. The Thunder led the Pacers for the majority of the game. However, when playing the Indiana Pacers , it’s proven important to keep your foot on the gas. The Pacers have proven to be the true “comeback kids.” Game one of the NBA Finals was further proof of this. Tyrese Haliburton knocked down a game-winning 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds to lift the Pacers to victory. Haliburton spoke postgame and was very enthusiastic after knocking down the game-winner. He responded with a simple statement during his postgame interview with the media.
“Man, basketball’s fun, winning is fun.”
The Pacers did not play a perfect game one, and still ended up getting the win. The Pacers turned the ball over 25 times. They also trailed by as many as 15 points in the fourth and still ended up victorious. Oklahoma City Thunder star Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded three steals. Gilgeous-Alexander spoke postgame about his team’s game one NBA Finals loss.
“We had control of the game for the most part,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Now, it’s a 48-minute game. And they teach you that lesson more than anyone else in the league — the hard way.”
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out six assists, and blocked a shot. Haliburton’s heroics are moving him into a different stratosphere in the NBA hierarchy of players. He and the Pacers are three wins away from their first NBA Championship.
More Pacers Contributions
- Pascal Siakim scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out three assists.
- Myles Turner scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked three shots.
- Andrew Nembhard scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out six asissts.
- Aaron Nesmith scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out an assist, and blocked a shot.
- Obi Toppin scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out two assists off the bench.
Game two of the NBA Finals will take place Sunday, June 8th. Tip-off from Oklahoma City will be at 8 p.m. Eastern/ 7 p.m. Central.
