The Indiana Pacers erased a double-digit deficit on Thursday night to stun the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton closed things out with an incredible game-winning shot. 

Haliburton’s mid-range jumper to give the Pacers a 111-110 lead is actually the first game-winner in the NBA Finals since 1997. It was also his fourth winning or tying shot in the final five seconds of a game this postseason alone.

“I don’t know what you say about it, but I know that this group is a resilient group,” Haliburton said during his postgame press conference. “And we don’t give up until it’s 0.0 on the clock.”

Haliburton’s teammates were confident he’d come through in crunch time because that’s all he’s been doing this postseason. After all, he’s only two weeks removed from demoralizing the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals

“I swear as soon as he jumped up to shoot, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s good.’ Every time it’s in his hands in those situations, I just think it’s good,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MAY 28: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever takes a photo before the game against the Washington Mystics at CFG Bank Arena on May 28, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Nesmith wasn’t the only person who expected Haliburton to make the game-winning shot.

As soon as Haliburton’s game-winner went through the net, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark posted this message on social media: “YOU CANT MAKE IT UP.”

Clark has been cheering on the Pacers throughout their playoff run. It has become very apparent that she’s close with Haliburton and his girlfriend, Jade Jones.

When the NBA Finals shifts over to Indiana for Game 3, there’s a good chance Clark will be in attendance.