• Tyrese Haliburton scores game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left.
• Pacers overcome a 15-point deficit to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder with 38 points but misses crucial shot late.
• Rick Carlisle's coaching strategy proves pivotal in the comeback.
• Game 2 scheduled for Sunday night in Oklahoma City.

Tyrese Haliburton hit a dramatic 21-foot jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining, giving the Indiana Pacers their first and only lead of the game and stunning the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. This victory marked yet another last-minute comeback for the Pacers, showcasing their resilience throughout the playoffs, according to South China Morning Post, HuffPost, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde.

The Pacers trailed by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, equaling the largest comeback in a Finals game since 2011 when Rick Carlisle, who coaches the Pacers now, led the Dallas Mavericks to a similar feat. Key performances included a strong showing from Pascal Siakam with 19 points, alongside contributions from Obi Toppin (17 points) and Myles Turner (15 points) as Indiana outscored the Thunder 15-4 in the critical moments following Carlisle's strategic substitutions, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Despite an impressive 38-point performance from Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City found itself unable to capitalize in the clutch moments. Gilgeous-Alexander missed a potential game-sealing shot with 11 seconds remaining, allowing Haliburton the chance to snatch victory for the Pacers. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle noted, "We had control of the game for the most part. A lot of experience in these type of games helps," highlighting the team's seasoned mentality during nail-biting scenarios, according to Le Monde and HuffPost.

With this hard-fought victory, the Pacers take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, setting the stage for an intense Game 2 on Sunday, where they will again face the Thunder. Both teams will need to adjust as Indiana aims to build on its winning momentum and Oklahoma City looks to regain its footing after an unexpected loss at home, as reported by Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.