Tyrese Haliburton Secures Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 Win Over Thunder

Tyrese Haliburton delivered a spectacular game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left to secure a 111-110 victory for the Indiana Pacers over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, sparking a viral reaction from NBA legend Dwyane Wade who exclaimed "Superstar!" during a live stream. Despite a modest overall performance in the game, Haliburton's clutch shot capped off a remarkable 15-point comeback by the Pacers, who had been underdogs throughout the playoffs with unexpected wins over top teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks. Haliburton has consistently emerged as a clutch performer, hitting game-winning shots in every playoff series and averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in the postseason. The moment also highlighted Haliburton's new role as the face of Puma Basketball, debuting his signature shoe, the Hali 1, on the NBA's biggest stage, which he humorously credited for his game-winning success. Critics had labeled him the most overrated player entering the playoffs, but his performances have helped silence doubters and elevate him to superstar status. Game 2 of the Finals is set to continue the intense series in Oklahoma City.