Pacers Lead NBA Finals 1-0 Against Thunder Before Game 2

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-110 win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, secured by Tyrese Haliburton's last-second shot. Despite the victory, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle emphasized that Indiana remains the underdog and focused on improving turnovers and defensive schemes for Game 2. The Thunder, led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38 points, are known for bouncing back strongly after losses, boasting a 17-2 record in subsequent games this season with wins by an average of 17.5 points. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlighted the team's aim to maintain neutrality and compete hard regardless of previous results. Both teams acknowledged the need to clean up mistakes from Game 1, with the Pacers preparing for a more aggressive Thunder defense and the Thunder aiming to close out games better. The upcoming Game 2, set for Sunday night in Oklahoma City, promises a highly competitive rematch as the Thunder seek to even the series and the Pacers look to replicate their road success.