About this Episode
"In this episode of Podcasty NBA, Niko and Stella break down Game 1 of the NBA Finals where the Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a last-second victory on the road. They explore key moments including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong performance overshadowed by clutch plays from Tyrese Haliburton and discuss how turnovers and three-point shooting shaped this epic comeback win. The hosts also analyze historical trends around teams losing Game 1 at home heading into Game 2 and preview what lies ahead in this intense series."
Article Discussed: "2025 NBA Finals: Biggest takeaways from Thunder-Pacers Game 1"
Author: NBA insiders
This podcast was generated by AI using Podcasty.
Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into an electrifying Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers shocked everyone with a last-second win, 111-110, on the road at the Paycom Center.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. This game was a rollercoaster, especially in those final moments. Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater with just 0.3 seconds left sealed a remarkable comeback for Indiana. It’s fascinating how this game unfolded after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had dominated for nearly 48 minutes.
Niko: Right, Stella. For most of the game, Gilgeous-Alexander outplayed Haliburton, scoring 38 points on 14-for-30 shooting. But in crunch time, he missed a clean midrange jumper that could have put the Thunder up by three with just ten seconds remaining. That miss really shifted momentum.
Stella: And then Haliburton stepped up with his clutch shot from just inside the three-point arc to give Indiana their first lead of the entire game. What’s striking is how the Pacers managed to overcome their early struggles — they had 24 turnovers compared to only six for Oklahoma City but tightened up significantly in the second half.
Niko: Exactly. The Thunder were dominant defensively in the first half, forcing 19 turnovers and holding Indiana to just 45 points. But after halftime, everything changed as Indiana scored 66 points in the second half alone, including an impressive six-for-ten from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter.
Stella: That turnaround was key. The Pacers’ ability to cut down on turnovers and ramp up their offense fueled their comeback. Players like Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith hit clutch threes while Haliburton kept delivering under pressure — it’s become a pattern for them this postseason.
Niko: Speaking of patterns, this marks Indiana’s third consecutive series where they've won Game 1 on the road thanks to a late-game rally. And historically since 2021, teams losing Game 1 at home usually bounce back strongly in Game 2 — higher seeds have gone 21-7 after dropping that opener.
Stella: Yes, and Kevin Pelton notes that teams losing Game 1 at home tend to outscore opponents by an average of 12 points in Game 2 during these playoffs. So while Oklahoma City is favored overall given their season consistency — they've only lost back-to-back games twice all year — this upcoming Game 2 will be a real test for them.
Niko: To sum it all up: The Pacers’ resilience and clutch shooting turned what looked like a near-certain Thunder victory into an upset win on enemy turf. Haliburton’s late-game heroics again proved decisive after overcoming early struggles with turnovers and offensive rhythm.
Stella: Definitely a thrilling start to this Finals series with plenty of storylines still unfolding — from defensive adjustments needed by Oklahoma City to whether Indiana can maintain their momentum away from home. Thanks for tuning into Podcasty NBA; we’ll be back soon with more playoff insights!
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