Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining secured a 111-110 victory, capping off a stunning 15-point fourth-quarter comeback. This victory marked the Pacers’ first-ever NBA Finals road win and represented a significant breakthrough for a franchise with limited Finals experience.

A franchise first for Indiana

Before this series, the Pacers had only reached the NBA Finals once, back in 2000, when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. During that series, Indiana was swept on the road, losing all three away games and ultimately falling in six games.

The Game 1 win in Oklahoma City breaks that pattern and gives the Pacers a crucial edge in the series. Historically, winning Game 1 on the road in the NBA Finals has been a strong predictor of eventual series success, making this victory even more significant.

Trailing by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers chipped away steadily, fueled by key contributions from Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner.

However, it was Haliburton’s calm and clutch performance down the stretch that defined the game. His ability to execute under pressure has been a hallmark of Indiana’s playoff run, and his game-winner reinforced his status as one of the league’s most reliable late-game performers.

A historic low for the Thunder

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Game 1 loss was not just disappointing but also historically unprecedented. Despite dominating the turnover battle with a staggering +18 margin, the Thunder were unable to secure the win.

In NBA playoff history, no team had ever lost a postseason game with such a lopsided turnover advantage. Previously, all teams with a turnover differential of -18 or worse had lost, but never in a game of this magnitude.

The Thunder’s inability to capitalize on Indiana’s mistakes stands out even more given their season-long reputation for ball security—they were the safest team in the league, averaging just 11 turnovers per game. 

What is next?

With momentum firmly on their side, the Pacers will look to build on this historic win as Game 2 happens in Oklahoma City this Sunday. The Thunder, meanwhile, face the challenge of responding quickly to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole.