Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in NBA history! The Indiana Pacers erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left.
In this video, we break down the full game recap, highlight key stats, analyze both teams’ strategies, and provide a deep SWOT + War Room insight into how the Pacers pulled off a historic win—and what adjustments the Thunder must make for Game 2.
00:00The opening game of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder was nothing short of a dramatic spectacle.
00:09A contest that encapsulated the essence of playoff basketball with its momentum swings, tactical adjustments, and a breathtaking finish that left fans in awe.
00:19The PACOM Center in Oklahoma City was electric, hosting a matchup between a Thunder squad that had dominated the regular season and a Pacers team that had defied expectations throughout the playoffs.
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00:50From the outset, the Thunder asserted their presence, dictating the pace with their suffocating defense and efficient ball movement.
00:59Shai Gilgis Alexander, the newly crowned MVP, orchestrated the offense with precision, slicing through Indiana's defensive schemes and setting the tone early.
01:10Oklahoma City's defensive intensity forced Indiana into a flurry of turnovers, disrupting their rhythm and allowing the Thunder to build the commanding lead.
01:21By the end of the first quarter, the home team had established a nine-point advantage, seemingly in control of the game's tempo.
01:29As the second quarter unfolded, the Pacers struggled to find their footing.
01:35Their ball security remained a glaring issue.
01:38With 19 turnovers committed in the first half alone, the Thunder capitalized on nearly every misstep.
01:45The Thunder's perimeter defense was relentless, forcing Indiana into contested shots and limiting their ability to generate clean looks.
01:54Despite the adversity, Pascal Siakam, 19 points, 10 rebounds, and Myles Turner, along with all five Pacers starters scoring in double figures, provided a stabilizing presence, keeping Indiana within striking distance despite offensive turbulence.
02:11By halftime, the Thunder maintained a comfortable lead, their defensive execution and offensive efficiency painting a picture of dominance.
02:20The third quarter marked a shift in momentum.
02:23Indiana, recognizing the urgency of the situation, began to adjust.
02:30Tyrese Halliburton, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, emerged as the catalyst for the Pacers' resurgence.
02:38His ability to navigate Oklahoma City's defensive pressure and create opportunities for his teammates ignited a spark.
02:45Indiana's ball movement improved, and their three-point shooting began to find its mark.
02:51The Thunder, while still maintaining control, showed signs of vulnerability as Indiana chipped away at the deficit.
03:00By the end of the third quarter, the Pacers had narrowed the gap, setting the stage for a dramatic final period.
03:07The fourth quarter was a masterclass in resilience.
03:10Indiana, trailing by 15 points with under 10 minutes remaining, refused to concede.
03:18Their defensive intensity surged, forcing Oklahoma City into difficult possessions and contested shots.
03:25Halliburton, now fully in command, orchestrated a furious rally.
03:30The Pacers' perimeter shooting was lethal, with starters Andrew Nembard and Aaron Nesmith, both playing critical supporting roles,
03:40whose timely shot-making and defensive pressure helped stabilize Indiana during crucial second-half stretches, lighting up the scoreboard.
03:48As the clock wound down, the Thunder found themselves on the defensive, their once-secure lead evaporating.
03:54With mere seconds remaining, Halliburton's 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds left gave Indiana its first lead and ultimately the win,
04:04in a historic turnaround that tied the largest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA Finals history, matching the 1992 Bulls and 2011 Mavericks.
04:15The Pacers secured a 111-110 victory.
04:19Notably, this win marked the Thunders' second home loss in the playoffs and their first home loss to an Eastern Conference team since March 12, 2024.
04:29The Pacers display a dual nature, possessing a never-say-die attitude while contending with certain mechanical shortcomings.
04:37Their historic comeback in Game 1 was truly remarkable, as they erased a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter,
04:45a feat that tied the record for the largest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA Finals history, matching the 1992 Bulls and 2011 Mavericks.
04:55Tyrese Halliburton's clutch performance, capped by his 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining, underscored his reputation as a post-season hero.
05:05Additionally, all five Pacers' starters recorded double-digit scores, with Pascal Siakam contributing 19 points along with 10 rebounds and Myles Turner supporting the effort.
05:18Critical supporting roles were supplied by starters Andrew Nembard and Aaron Nesmith,
05:23while bench production from Obi Toppin's 17 points provided valuable scoring depth.
05:30However, their vulnerability is evident in the early phase of the game.
05:33The Pacers committed 19 turnovers in the first half alone, a figure that not only disrupted their rhythm, but also handed Oklahoma City transition opportunities.
05:45This inefficiency presents a major threat, as an early deficit can give the Thunder too much leverage.
05:52The opportunity for Indiana in Game 2 lies in converting the psychological boost of their staggering comeback into a consistent, low-turnover start,
06:00thus mitigating the risk of another feeding frenzy for the opposition.
06:06Within the Pacers' war room, the focus is on transforming lessons from Game 1 into tangible improvements.
06:13Intensive video analysis has revealed that the early turnover issues, 19 errant possessions in the first half,
06:21served as a catalyst for Oklahoma City's early dominance.
06:24In response, the coaching staff is implementing rigorous, high-pressure ball handling drills that emphasize controlled pick-and-roll sequences,
06:34deliberate spacing, and synchronized off-ball movement.
06:38Practice sessions now feature simulated end-of-game scenarios, ensuring players remain composed under heavy defensive pressure.
06:46Moreover, extra emphasis has been placed on protecting Tyrese Halliburton during trapping sequences by encouraging off-ball screens and inverting pick-and-rolls.
06:57This will help reduce his isolation burden against Oklahoma City's lanky perimeter defenders.
07:03Additionally, the coaching staff is re-examining rotations, aiming to blend the consistent scoring output of starters,
07:12like Nembard and Nesmith, with a much-needed bench support from Obi Toppin.
07:17This multifaceted approach strives to convert the historic comeback mentality into a sustainable, low-turnover offensive rhythm in Game 2.
07:26The Thunder have long been known for their high-tempo execution and swarming defense, anchored by the stellar play of shy Gilgis Alexander.
07:36His 38-point performance in Game 1, recorded as the third-highest NBA Finals debut behind Allen Iverson's 48 in 2001 and George Mekon's 42 in 1949,
07:48remains a testament to his elite status.
07:51Complimentary efforts came from key players like Jalen Williams and Lugansdorff, who combined for 32 points,
07:59along with Chet Holmberg adding 6 points and 8 rebounds.
08:03Despite these numbers, the supporting cast's overall production beyond these stars
08:08raised depth concerns and contributed to a late-game collapse.
08:13Oklahoma City's aggressive approach yielded early success, forcing turnovers and contributing to a dominant first half.
08:20However, this same high-octane method now risks exposure, as evidenced by their inability to sustain defensive intensity in the final minutes.
08:31An additional note of importance is that the Thunder now have surpassed the 2019 Raptors' plus 79 turnover differential record for the largest in a single postseason,
08:41achieving this mark in just 12 games.
08:44This statistical achievement, however, is counterbalanced by their vulnerability in closing out games, something that Indiana exploited.
08:54As such, the Thunder's opportunity lies in maintaining their defensive edge throughout the entire game,
08:59while the threat is that any lapse in late-game discipline may once again enable the Pacers' improbable comebacks.
09:06The Thunder's coaching staff is undertaking an overhaul of their late-game approach to preserve their trademark intensity across all four quarters.
09:16Their strategy revolves around rectifying the breakdown in defensive rotations witnessed in Game 1's final minutes.
09:23Through detailed film sessions and real-time analytics, coaches have crafted a hybrid substitution system
09:29that pairs seasoned veterans with high-energy defenders to keep defensive pressure relentless.
09:36In tandem with this, the Thunder planned to adopt a more measured offensive tempo in the latter stages of the game,
09:43transitioning from rapid fast-break opportunities to set,
09:47structured plays that reduce errant decisions and minimize turnovers.
