Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning jump shot with 0.3 seconds left in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. This capped off a surprising comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder, giving the Pacers an initial advantage in their first championship series in 25 years.
While a huge moment for the series, it seemed routine for Haliburton, who has consistently made crucial shots during this impressive postseason run. The star guard`s clutch performances in the 2025 playoffs have been remarkable. He has connected on a buzzer-beater in all four of the Pacers` playoff rounds, with three of these shots deciding the game.
Before Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Haliburton ranked his four buzzer-beating shots from least to most dramatic. Although each shot was pivotal, some carried greater significance for the series or the playoff journey overall.
4. First Round, Game 5 vs. Bucks
The Indiana team had a significant cushion going into Game 5 against Milwaukee in the first round, having secured a solid 3-1 series lead. Despite falling behind by 20 points, the Pacers didn`t quit. They gradually closed the gap in the second half, eventually forcing overtime thanks to a drive and dunk from Haliburton in the final moments of regulation.
However, his most dramatic play at the basket wasn`t the dunk. It happened in overtime, when the guard drove past Giannis Antetokounmpo to make a go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds remaining. Milwaukee had a chance for a final shot, but it missed, sending the Pacers to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Haliburton commented, `Usually with a game-winner, you shoot it, it goes up, and everyone holds their breath. This was more like a simple layup. So I`ll rank that one at number 4.`
3. Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 2 vs. Cavaliers
Cleveland appeared ready to tie the series at one game each, holding a seven-point lead with just 48 seconds left. Yet, the Pacers had already cut into a 20-point second-half deficit, and Haliburton made sure their comeback wasn`t finished.
Haliburton was fouled with 12.4 seconds remaining and headed to the free-throw line with his team trailing by three. Although he couldn`t tie the game with free throws alone, he made the first to narrow the deficit. Haliburton then purposely missed the second free throw, grabbed his own rebound, dribbled out beyond the arc, and hit a crucial stepback three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left.
Haliburton commented, `I honestly wasn`t expecting to be in that position. I was just shooting free throws, thinking, `I`ll make this one, we`ll foul, and we`ll figure it out.` When I missed, I had to immediately change my approach. That`s when I got the ball, pulled back, and thought, `Okay, this is the moment.` It was a special shot for me, especially on the road. But I still feel it`s not quite as significant as the top two.`
2. Eastern Conference Finals, Game 1 vs. Knicks
Haliburton`s celebration following his shot at the end of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals almost looked premature. The Pacers reached that point by staging yet another significant comeback, closing the gap after being down 17 in the fourth quarter and nine in the final minute. Trailing by two points in the closing seconds, Haliburton drove towards the basket, stepped back out to the three-point line, and released what seemed to be a game-winning three.
After the shot bounced high off the rim and dropped through, seemingly ending the game, Haliburton used Reggie Miller`s famous `choke` gesture. With his hands around his neck, the Pacers star didn`t realize the officials would rule it a two-pointer instead of a three. Video review confirmed his foot was on the line.
While the clutch shot didn`t win the game outright, it did force overtime. Indiana went on to win in the extra period, taking the crucial first game of the series.
Haliburton stated, `This was a really difficult decision, but honestly, I`m putting the Knicks shot at number 2. It didn`t actually turn out to be the game-winner, meaning there was still more game to be played. But realistically, in 20 years, people won`t remember that detail; they`ll just assume it won the game. So, number 2.`
1. NBA Finals, Game 1 vs. Thunder
The pattern felt familiar. In every series this postseason, the Pacers had overcome a significant deficit, leading to Haliburton making a crucial game-tying or game-winning shot at the buzzer. This predictability didn`t lessen the drama when it occurred again in the opening game of the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City led by 15 points in the fourth quarter and still had a nine-point lead with under three minutes remaining. A late collapse by the Thunder allowed Indiana to close within a single point in the final seconds. At this point, Haliburton took over, pulled up from just inside the three-point line, and sank a go-ahead jumper with only 0.3 seconds left. This shot quickly put the Pacers in control of the series.
Haliburton explained, `The NBA Finals – I`ve dreamed of being in this situation my entire life. On the road, too. Another significant comeback. It`s the biggest stage, the NBA Finals. That`s why I rank it at number 1.`
Jasper Hawthorne