Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a stunning Game 1 victory in the 2025 NBA Finals, completing a remarkable comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While trailing by 15 points with under five minutes remaining, the Pacers rallied, with Haliburton hitting a game-winning shot as the buzzer sounded. However, his performance remains even more memorable by his debut of the Puma Hali 1 sneakers.
Haliburton jokingly credited his new shoes as the “secret sauce” behind his clutch play, drawing attention to his stellar delivery and the launch of his signature sneakers. The 25-year-old guard finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, leading his team to a thrilling win.
The Pacers played with extra motivation all playoffs, determined to prove their critics wrong. Moreover, their comeback was historic, as they became the first team since 1971 to win a playoff game after trailing by more than nine points in the final five minutes.
After the game, Haliburton talked about how much it means to the team.“I think as a group, we take everything personal. As a group, it’s not just me, it’s everybody. I feel like that’s the DNA of this group… But I just think we do a great job of taking things personal. And that gives this group more confidence,” he shared.
Haliburton’s performance reflected the Pacers’ mindset, with the team taking every challenge personally. After being swept in last year’s Eastern Conference finals, the team used the criticism as fuel, with Haliburton leading the charge and boosting his teammates’ confidence as they continued their unlikely postseason surge.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Historic Delivery In Game 1
Haliburton delivered one of the most clutch playoff runs in NBA history. He hit game winners in all four rounds, starting with a three-point play to beat the Milwaukee Bucks and a wild buzzer-beater three against the Thunder. Moreover, he nearly won it late against the Knicks and sealed Game 1 of the finals with a jumper over the Thunder.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Haliburton’s heroics earned him the Nickname “Mr. Big Shot” and the No. 7 position on the Ringer’s postseason top 100 list. Moreover, he averaged 18.8 points, which was a playoff high, had 9.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals; he became a two-way star. At just 25, he is now viewed as a future face of the league.
Whether the Pacers win the title or not, Haliburton has already earned the respect of the basketball world and built a legacy few achieve this young.
Also Read: Tyrese Haliburton Fires Back At Experts For Dismissing Pacers In Lopsided NBA Finals Predictions
