Tyrese Haliburton leads Indiana Pacers’ epic comeback win in OT vs New York Knicks 138-135 in Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 thriller.
Core Highlights of the Game
- Indiana Pacers claim 138-135 OT victory over New York Knicks in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals.
- Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beating shot forces OT, sparking wild comeback.
- Aaron Nesmith ties career-high with 30 points, hits clutch threes late.
- Knicks led by 17 in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t close out.
- Pacers score 23 points in final 3:14 of regulation — an NBA playoff record.
- Replay confirms Haliburton’s shot is a two-pointer, sends game to OT.
Early Drama at Madison Square Garden Sets Tone
The Eastern Conference Finals opened with fireworks at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers delivered a high-octane thriller, ending in a 138-135 overtime victory for the Pacers. After three quarters of back-and-forth play, the Knicks pulled ahead by 17 points in the fourth quarter, seeming to seal the game. But Indiana’s resilience sparked one of the most memorable comebacks in NBA playoff history.
Fourth Quarter Collapse from Knicks
With just under three minutes remaining, the Knicks held a 14-point lead. The momentum strongly favored New York. But Indiana executed what they do best — pushing the tempo and creating clutch plays. Aaron Nesmith drained five three-pointers in the last four minutes, shaking the Knicks’ defense and closing the gap rapidly.
Haliburton Delivers Cold-Blooded Buzzer-Beater
The ball naturally found its way to Tyrese Haliburton in the closing seconds. Down two with 7.3 seconds left, Haliburton handled the pressure. He lost control, but quickly regained himself, dribbled to the arc, and shot a long jumper. The ball bounced off the back-rim, shot straight up, and fell back down — but the replay showed that he had a toe on the line. It was a tie at 125 and sent the crowd wild and the game into overtime.
Historical Overtime Push
Indiana’s 23 points in the final 3:14 of regulation is now the highest scoring stretch in such a short playoff span in NBA history, according to the Associated Press. During overtime, Andrew Nembhard’s late basket gave the Pacers a crucial edge. The Knicks briefly reclaimed the lead with under a minute left, but Indiana forced another momentum shift, capitalized on key possessions, and sealed the win.
Player Stats and Franchise Records
- Tyrese Haliburton: 31 points, 11 assists, leads the Pacers, delivering the game’s most iconic shot.
- Aaron Nesmith: Ties career-high with 30 points, makes 8 threes, setting a new Pacers franchise playoff record.
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): Puts up 37 points with five assists — the 11th game of 30+ points in his postseason career.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Had a very strong 33 points and 10 rebounds, taking the Knicks leads throughout the game.
A Replay of History: Reggie Miller Echoes in MSG
After Haliburton’s buzzer-beater, he gestures the iconic “choke” symbol toward the crowd — a move reminiscent of Pacers legend Reggie Miller in 1994 against Spike Lee. Ironically, Miller was courtside calling the game for TNT, unaware his team still had five more minutes of battle left.
Statistical Context: Historic NBA Comeback
The Elias Sports Bureau reports that no team has won a playoff game after being down 9+ points with less than a minute left in the game or overtime since 1998… until now. The Pacers have now become the first team in the NBA’s play-by-play era to accomplish this monumental feat, making their Game 1 victory all the more significant.
What’s Next in the Series
New York now faces the pressure of Game 2 after a loss and being down 0-1 in the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals. Game 2 is set for Friday night in Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks cannot afford to go to Indianapolis down 0-2.
Indiana Pacers stunned New York Knicks with historic 138-135 Game 1 overtime win in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tyrese Haliburton sends it to overtime with a buzzer-beater. Aaron Nesmith’s historic performance helps finish off an incredible comeback.
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