About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, Niko and Stella break down Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals where Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a dramatic 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a last-second jumper. They explore key moments including coaching strategies from Rick Carlisle and Mark Daigneault, Indiana's record-setting comeback resilience marked by multiple double-digit scorers without any single player hitting 20 points, and how intense defensive pressure shaped both teams' performances throughout this instant classic showdown.
Article Discussed: "Somehow, the Indiana Pacers Just Keep Outdoing Themselves - The Ringer"
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Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into an incredible Game 1 of the NBA Finals where the Indiana Pacers edged out the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110, thanks to a miraculous game-winning jumper by Tyrese Haliburton. This game was packed with drama, resilience, and some strategic chess moves by both coaches.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. The Pacers’ postseason run has been nothing short of magical, and Haliburton’s performance in this game really encapsulated that spirit. He pulled off his fourth last-second shot in these playoffs, leading Indiana back from a huge deficit once again. It’s been a series of comebacks for them — five wins after trailing by at least 15 points this postseason alone.
Niko: Right, and it’s wild how Haliburton controlled that final possession with just his right hand—five dribbles with hesitation moves before sinking that pull-up jumper over Cason Wallace. That moment felt iconic and almost surreal given how relentless the Thunder's defense has been all playoffs. Rick Carlisle's trust in Haliburton to take over without calling a timeout really paid off.
Stella: Carlisle’s coaching story adds another layer here too. He won his only NBA championship back in 2011, ironically against LeBron James—who was young Haliburton’s favorite player and even hated Carlisle then! Now Carlisle has evolved his style and embraced this new offensive approach centered around Haliburton’s creativity and leadership on the floor.
Niko: Speaking of strategy, Mark Daigneault made a bold move before tip-off by starting Cason Wallace instead of Isaiah Hartenstein. This change seemed designed to counter Indiana’s pressure defense with more ball handling and versatility on offense. For much of the game, it looked like it was working—especially early when Obi Toppin struggled with turnovers against the Thunder's intense defense.
Stella: Yes, those first few minutes were rough for Toppin with three turnovers in under four minutes. The Pacers had more turnovers than made field goals in the first quarter alone and were on pace to tie a Finals record for most turnovers set 50 years ago by the Warriors. But despite that shaky start, they adjusted well after halftime, committing just five turnovers in the second half.
Niko: That resilience is key here—Indiana kept pushing through the anxiety caused by OKC’s suffocating defense. The Thunder don’t just force turnovers; they create real pressure that rattles opponents mentally. Yet the Pacers’ constant motion and faith in their passing eventually paid off, spreading scoring across six players who reached double digits—the first time a Finals-winning team did that without any 20-point scorers in over ten years.
Stella: And while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up an impressive 38 points for Oklahoma City alongside Lu Dort's defensive intensity reminiscent of Austin Rivers' past efforts, it wasn’t enough to close out Game 1 at home. The Pacers’ collective effort and ability to perform under pressure turned what looked like near defeat into victory—an embodiment of basketball magic as described in the article.
Niko: To wrap up, this game highlighted not just individual brilliance but also strategic coaching decisions and team resilience on both sides. The Thunder have shown they can respond strongly after losses—they blew out Denver by 43 points after a similar Game 1 loss earlier—but tonight belonged to Indiana’s magic run led by Haliburton’s clutch playmaking.
Stella: Exactly. This series promises to be an exciting glimpse into basketball's future — blending tactical innovation with moments of pure unpredictability. Thanks for joining us on Podcasty NBA as we explored this thrilling opener between two teams embodying different but equally compelling styles of play. Until next time!
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