Haliburton's Winning Shot Sparks NBA Fine Concerns

Tyrese Haliburton propelled the Indiana Pacers to a dramatic 120-119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a game-winning three-pointer, giving Indiana a commanding 2-0 lead in the playoff series. Haliburton's clutch performance, which included 19 points and 11 in the fourth quarter despite playing through a wrist injury, capped a comeback from a 20-point deficit and overshadowed Donovan Mitchell's 48-point effort for Cleveland. After sinking the decisive shot, Haliburton performed the 'Big Balls' celebration, a banned gesture in the NBA that previously resulted in LeBron James receiving a $15,000 fine, and Haliburton acknowledged he expects a fine as well. The victory marked a historic moment as Indiana won both opening road games against a favored Cavaliers team, with Haliburton's poise under pressure and support from teammates highlighted in postgame comments. Injuries continue to plague Cleveland, putting additional pressure on them ahead of Game 3 in Indianapolis. Haliburton's heroics have drawn widespread praise from sports figures like Caitlin Clark and Patrick Mahomes, while also putting the spotlight on his leadership and the Pacers' resilience.