As the 2023 NBA Finals kicked off, nearly every basketball analyst predicted that the Oklahoma City Thunder would comfortably defeat the Indiana Pacers. These expectations seemed well-founded through the first three quarters of Game 1, but the final minutes turned the game on its head, defying all forecasts.
The reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, showcased his incredible talent by scoring a remarkable 38 points throughout the game. The Thunder jumped to an early 7-0 lead and maintained a significant advantage, closing the first half at 57-45. As the second half progressed, the Thunder extended their lead to as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter, seemingly on their way to victory.
Post-game, Haliburton expressed pride in his team’s resilience: “We’ve just had to figure out how to win in so many ways all year. We’re just a really resilient group. I’m really proud of this group. We keep believing and we stay together. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” This victory was just another demonstration of the Pacers' determination, echoing their previous remarkable comebacks in these playoffs.
On April 29, the Pacers staged a stunning comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks, overcoming a 118-111 deficit to win 119-118. Just a week later, they trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-112 and managed to win 120-119. A few weeks later, they pulled off another thrilling victory against the New York Knicks, recovering from a 121-112 deficit to win 138-135 in overtime. Remarkably, Thursday’s comeback against the Thunder marked the Pacers’ fifth victory this postseason after trailing by 15 or more points, setting an NBA record.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s coach, Mark Daigneault, acknowledged the Pacers’ tenacity, stating, “That’s a really good team. Credit them for not only tonight but their run. They’ve had so many games like that that have seemed improbable. And they just play with a great spirit and they keep coming.” The Pacers’ comeback was the largest fourth-quarter turnaround in a Finals game since the 2011 Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat, also under the guidance of coach Rick Carlisle.
During the critical moments of the fourth quarter, Carlisle made a bold decision to substitute all five players when the Pacers were down by 15 points. This strategic call ignited a spark in the team, leading them to outscore the Thunder 15-4 in just over three minutes, narrowing the gap to 98-94 with six minutes left on the clock. This pivotal moment laid the groundwork for their incredible comeback.
With the series now tied, Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Both teams will be looking to recover from the thrilling events of Game 1. As Haliburton aptly stated, “Man, basketball’s fun,” and fans of both teams can hardly disagree as they anticipate what’s next in this electrifying Finals matchup.
