The Indiana Pacers have done it again. In one of the most thrilling playoff performances of the year, the Pacers stormed back in the fourth quarter and sealed an unforgettable 122-118 overtime win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Their opponent? A battle-tested, top-seeded team that looked poised to take control โ until Indiana flipped the script in dramatic fashion.
This is becoming a trademark for the Pacers. A team that few pegged to make a deep playoff run has now delivered another epic comeback โ their third of the postseason โ and set the tone for what promises to be an electrifying series. Game 1 wasnโt just a win. It was a message.
The Grit Behind the Glory
Indianaโs win was a full-team effort, but the headline once again belongs to Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with 31 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds. The All-Star guard, now fully embraced as the teamโs on-court leader, took control late in the game, burying a deep three to tie the game with 14 seconds left in regulation. His clutch shot sent the crowd into a frenzy and the game into overtime.
But Haliburton wasnโt alone. Pascal Siakam added 27 points and 9 rebounds, playing with the poise of a former champion. Myles Turner provided timely blocks and crucial rebounds, while rookie Ben Sheppard, who continues to defy expectations, delivered key minutes off the bench โ including a huge steal and layup midway through OT.
“We just believe in each other,” said Haliburton postgame. “This team, this locker room โ we never feel like weโre out of it. We fight for each other. Thatโs how we play, and thatโs how we win.”
A Tale of Two Halves
For most of the first half, it looked like Indiana might be overmatched. Their opponent came out aggressive, applying intense defensive pressure and building a 14-point lead by halftime. The Pacers struggled to get into rhythm, missing easy looks and turning the ball over far too often.
But things changed in the third quarter. Head coach Rick Carlisle made subtle adjustments โ notably inserting Isaiah Jackson for added energy and switching to a more aggressive pick-and-roll defense. Those tweaks began to frustrate their opponents, forcing bad shots and leading to transition opportunities that the Pacers capitalized on.
By the start of the fourth, the gap had closed to just five points. Then came the run. A 12-2 burst, sparked by a pair of Haliburton threes and a huge corner triple by Andrew Nembhard, gave the Pacers their first lead since the opening minutes. From that point on, the momentum belonged to Indiana.
Overtime Heroics
In the extra period, the game became a slugfest. Both teams traded buckets, with every possession turning into a battle. The Pacersโ defense stepped up in critical moments, with Turner and Aaron Nesmith coming up with big stops. Offensively, it was Haliburton once again who made the biggest play โ a driving layup through contact to give Indiana a two-point lead with under a minute remaining.
After a missed three by the opposition, Indiana hit their free throws and ran out the clock, securing a win that felt like both a statement and a survival.
“This game couldโve gone either way,” said Carlisle after the buzzer. “But our guys showed a level of resilience and toughness that you need in moments like these. We earned that win.”
The Bigger Picture
The Pacers have now won six straight at home this postseason, and this victory sends a loud signal: Indiana is not just happy to be here โ they believe they can win it all.
Many doubted this team early in the year. Even when they made a midseason surge and secured a playoff spot, few expected them to make noise in the East. But this postseason run has changed everything. Their combination of youthful energy, unselfish offense, and rock-solid coaching has proven to be more than just entertaining โ itโs effective.
In a conference stacked with talent and experience, Indiana is emerging as the Cinderella story with teeth. This isn’t luck. This is preparation, chemistry, and a refusal to back down.
Looking Ahead
Game 2 will be critical. The Pacers will need to carry this momentum forward while anticipating adjustments from their opponent, who will surely come out with urgency. The margin for error shrinks in the playoffs, and Indiana knows theyโll need to clean up their turnovers and start faster if they want to keep control of the series.
Still, if Game 1 is any indication, this team has the heart โ and the talent โ to go the distance. The fans in Gainbridge Fieldhouse are certainly ready, and so is a team that refuses to quit.
The Eastern Conference Finals are officially alive โ and the Indiana Pacers are at the center of the storm.
