Tyrese Haliburton knows relying on late comebacks is "not the recipe" for the Indiana Pacers, but he lauded their never-say-die attitude after another late show stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pacers entered Game 1 of the NBA Finals having built a reputation for mounting stirring fightbacks in the 2025 playoffs.
On April 29, they trailed the Milwaukee Bucks 118-111 with 34.6 seconds left in overtime and won 119-118. On May 6, they were 119-112 down against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 48 seconds left and won 120-119.
On May 21, they trailed the New York Knicks 121-112 with 51.1 seconds left in regulation and won 138-135 in overtime in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. On Thursday, they did it again.
Haliburton made the winning shot with 0.3 seconds on the clock as the Pacers 바카라“ who had not led at any stage of the game until that point 바카라“ took Game 1 in memorable fashion.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Haliburton 바카라“ who had 14 points in support of Pascal Siakam (19), Obi Toppin (17) and Myles Turner (15) 바카라“ said their belief never wavered.
"As a group, we never think the game is over, ever," said Haliburton. "Honestly speaking, ever.
"I don't know what you say about it, but I know that this group is a resilient group. There was never disbelief in the group. We don't give up until it's 0.0 on the clock."
According to ESPN, no team has taken the lead for the first time in a playoff game with less time remaining on the clock in the last 50 years.
Haliburton knows the Pacers cut it fine and expects the Thunder 바카라“ whose 68 regular-season wins were at least four more than any other team in the NBA 바카라“ to respond.
"If you look at all the numbers, it's not the recipe to win," Haliburton added.
"We can't turn the ball over that much. We have to do a better job of being in gaps, rebounding, all over the floor.
"But come May and June, it doesn't matter how you get them, just get them.
"This is the best team in the NBA. We expect them to respond. We바카라™ve got to be ready."
Indiana were down by 15 points with 9:42 left, making it the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in an NBA Finals game since the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat from 15 down in 2011.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was also in charge of Dallas for that win, and he believes his team's previous experience of comeback wins has built mental fortitude.
"We just said, 'Let's just keep chipping away at the rock,'" Carlisle said.
"We had a lot of experience in these kinds of games, and our guys have a real good feel for what it's all about, giving ourselves a chance. We got fortunate but made plays."
