The 2025 NBA playoffs have been nothing short of thrilling, and Tuesday's games added even more drama to this year's postseason. With an exhilarating game-winning three-pointer and an unexpected road victory, fans were treated to remarkable basketball action. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Indiana Pacers stunned the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, taking a commanding 2-0 lead thanks to a clutch shot from Tyrese Haliburton, who led the Pacers to a 120-119 road win. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference semifinals, the Golden State Warriors secured a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1, even after losing star point guard Steph Curry to a hamstring injury. These results marked the first time in NBA history that the road team has won Game 1 in each of the four conference semifinal series.
After stunning the Cavaliers in Game 1, the Indiana Pacers entered Game 2 with confidence. The Cavaliers were determined to bounce back, but their efforts were hampered by injuries to key players, including Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter. Despite these setbacks, the Cavaliers initially dominated, building a 20-point lead and holding an 11-point advantage at halftime. Donovan Mitchell was exceptional, contributing 48 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.
However, the Pacers slowly chipped away at the Cavaliers' lead, and with just 27 seconds left in the game, they found themselves down by three. A critical turnover forced by Andrew Nembhard gave Indiana a chance to regain possession. Tyrese Haliburton was fouled and sent to the free-throw line with 12.4 seconds remaining. The pressure was on as he made his first free throw, missed the second, but managed to secure the rebound. Haliburton then retreated to the three-point line, launching a shot over Ty Jerome that swished through the net with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The Pacers celebrated their second consecutive surprise road victory over Cleveland, solidifying their lead in the series.
Haliburton's shot marked his second game-winner of the playoffs, showcasing his clutch performance. According to ESPN, he became only the second player since the 1997-98 season to have multiple go-ahead field goals in the final two seconds of a single postseason, joining LeBron James in 2018. The moment ignited celebrations on social media, with fellow Indianapolis star Caitlin Clark expressing her excitement: “TY!!!!!!!! WHAT A WIN !!!!!!” Haliburton, while pleased with the victory, credited his teammates for their resilience, stating, “We just have a resilient group, man. We just figure out ways to win. We don’t give up.”
The Pacers, having now claimed two wins against the Cavaliers—who boasted the second-best record in the regular season—head back to Indiana for Games 3 and 4 with a significant advantage in the series.
The Golden State Warriors displayed their championship pedigree in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, demonstrating the resilience necessary for a deep playoff run. Following a grueling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors jumped to an early lead against a Minnesota squad that appeared sluggish. However, the Warriors faced a setback when two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry sustained a hamstring injury in the second quarter, forcing him to leave the game after scoring 13 points.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Curry suffered a hamstring strain and will undergo an MRI to assess the injury. While Golden State was leading 25-20 when Curry exited, the rest of the team rallied in his absence. The Warriors expanded their lead to 76-53 midway through the third quarter, even as the Timberwolves attempted to mount a comeback. Draymond Green stepped up with 18 points, four three-pointers, and significant contributions on rebounds and assists, while Jimmy Butler nearly achieved a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Buddy Hield also shone with 24 points.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves struggled to find their rhythm after a strong performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Star guard Anthony Edwards had a rough night, missing his first ten shots and only scoring 23 points, with 22 of those coming in the final 20 minutes of the game. Following the loss, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch addressed the need for more urgency and leadership from Edwards, emphasizing, “What is there to talk about? You’re the leader of the team, and you got to come out and set the tone.”
As the playoffs continue, both the Pacers and Warriors have demonstrated their capabilities, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the postseason. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how these series unfold and whether the Pacers can maintain their momentum against the Cavaliers or if the Warriors can navigate Curry's injury as they strive for another championship run.
