The Indiana Pacers began the playoffs this year as the major underdogs to win. By all accounts, they weren’t supposed to make it past the second round, but now they’re in the NBA Finals with a chance to win their first championship since 1972 (in the ABA).
Against the top-seeded Thunder, Indiana faced daunting odds to pull off the upset, but they’re off to a good start after Thursday’s crucial victory. The Pacers, down 12 at halftime, were looking rough in Game 1 until a run in the fourth quarter sparked a miraculous comeback that won the match by a single point (111-110).
Tyrese Haliburton, who had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the contest, nailed the game-winner with 0.3 seconds on the clock. He was aided by Pascal Siakam, who dropped 19 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists on 46.7% shooting. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the only stand-out performer with 38 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 46.7% shooting.
On social media, fans were buzzing with reactions, and most were in pure shock over the series of events that just transpired. Somehow, the Pacers pulled it off again, and they are now closer than ever to the NBA championship.
“I can’t get over the fact that the final score was the Pacers’ first lead of the game,” wrote Molly Morrison on X. “Just unbelievable stuff.”
The Pacers’ ability to come storming back from big deficits is wild to witness, and it’s arguably the biggest story of the playoffs so far. Their countless comebacks stretch back to their first-round series against the Bucks, and it seems the Thunder are falling victim to the same fate.
“If the Pacers win the NBA Finals, this would be the best NBA finals story ever,” wrote one fan on social media.
This Pacers run is so unexpected that some fans have admitted to feeling confused at the results, and some have called it a “miracle” with comparisons to the 2011 Mavericks championship year.
“Pacers coming back during this run be looking a lot like that Dallas miracle run in 2011,” wrote a fan on X.
The Pacers are showing a remarkable level of perseverance in this postseason, and it’s hard to say we’ve ever seen anything like this. While it was far from a perfect game for them (historic for the wrong reasons), they were able to win because they made plays when it counted the most.
“How about those Pacers! They have 25 turnovers, miss six free throws, give up 38 points to SGA, and find themselves down 15 in the 4th quarter,” wrote one fan. “And win by one point. Amazing!”
Nobody predicted the Pacers to get this far, but they have exceeded all expectations and have full control going into Game 2. Unless the Thunder can regroup and respond, it will be a tough battle to save their season, but it’s far from over yet.
Following their first of many clashes, both teams will make necessary adjustments, and there’s no telling how it will turn out. But for the Pacers to even be in this situation, against all the odds, is truly a testament to their grit, tenacity, and determination as a group to stave off elimination for as long as possible.
