Tyrese Haliburton and Pacers Pull Off Stunning Overtime Comeback to Win Game 1 vs. Knicks

Madison Square Garden was buzzing with excitement as the New York Knicks held a comfortable 14-point lead with less than three minutes left in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Fans believed the win was all but sealed—until Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith sparked one of the most dramatic comebacks of this postseason.

The Pacers, down but not out, clawed their way back thanks to Nesmith’s incredible shooting spree. The 25-year-old former Celtics first-round pick nailed five three-pointers in the final three minutes of regulation, keeping Indiana’s hopes alive and the Knicks on edge.

With the clock winding down and the Pacers trailing by two points, Haliburton rose to the occasion. He launched a buzzer-beater jumper that bounced high and, against all odds, fell through the net. The Garden erupted—only for officials to rule it a two-pointer after review, sending the game into overtime instead of ending it.

Not missing a beat, the Pacers dominated the extra period and secured a thrilling 138-135 victory. Haliburton finished with a standout performance: 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith poured in 30 points, hitting eight of nine from beyond the arc.

This comeback marked the third time the Pacers have pulled off an improbable late-game rally this postseason. Indiana’s resilience is historic—since the 1996-97 season, only four teams in over 1,700 playoff games have overcome a seven-plus point deficit in the final 50 seconds or overtime. Remarkably, Indiana achieved this feat three times in these playoffs alone.

The Pacers had earlier erased similar deficits against the Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, making their Game 1 victory even more impressive. In fact, Indiana is the first team in the last 27 postseasons to win a game when down by 14 points with less than three minutes left in regulation, according to team stats.

Despite the loss, Knicks star Jalen Brunson put respect on Indiana’s performance. “Give them a lot of credit—they closed the game out like they’ve been doing all playoffs. It wasn’t our best moment,” Brunson admitted after leading all scorers with 43 points.

Haliburton’s Famous Gesture Sparks Talk

After the game, Haliburton revealed he grew up watching the 2010 documentary Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks, which features Miller’s iconic “choke” gesture during a famous Indiana comeback in the ’90s. Inspired, Haliburton mimicked the gesture after his buzzer shot, playfully taunting the stunned crowd.

However, once he learned the shot was only worth two points, Haliburton expressed a hint of regret. “It felt right at the time,” he said. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have done it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura-farming, so I probably won’t use it again.”

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle shrugged off the moment. “Players can do what they want. It’s emotional and not a big deal. The place was loud, and the environment here is always intense,” Carlisle said. “This is playoff basketball.”

A Rivalry with History and Future

The Knicks and Pacers share a long playoff history dating back to the ’90s, with battles featuring legends like Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, and Dale Davis. Last year, Indiana eliminated New York in a dramatic Game 7 on the Knicks’ home court.

Yet Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns dismissed the idea of repeating history. “It’s our job to make history, not repeat it,” Towns said after his 35-point, 12-rebound performance. “I only think about what we can do now to make our own history.”

Game 2 of the series is set for Friday night in New York, promising more high-stakes drama in this riveting Eastern Conference Finals matchup.