Teams have learned throughout the NBA playoffs that no lead is safe against the Indiana Pacers, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is hoping his Oklahoma City Thunder teammates will take note of that going forward.
The Pacers overcame a 15-point deficit in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night to beat the Thunder 111-110 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Tyrese Haliburton, who has been a hero for Indiana throughout the postseason, hit yet another game-winning shot just before the buzzer.
Following the game, Gilgeous-Alexander had a sobering comment about the Pacers.
“It is a 48-minute game. (The Pacers) teach you that lesson more than anybody else in the league the hard way,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “It is a 48-minute game. [The Pacers] teach you that lesson more than anybody else in the league the hard way.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 6, 2025
The Pacers have won five games this postseason in which they have trailed by at least 15 points. On Thursday, they became the first team since 1971 to win an NBA Finals game when trailing by 9 or more points with 3 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Teams were previously 0-182 dating back to 1971.
entering tonight, teams were 0-182 when trailing by 9+ points in the final 3 minutes of an NBA Finals game since 1971.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 6, 2025
it's 1-182 after tonight. pic.twitter.com/KHYslokJLg
Haliburton offered a new explanation for his heroics in Game 1, but the reality is the Pacers are just comfortable playing from behind. Like Gilgeous-Alexander said, Indiana will make you pay if you do not play hard for a full 48 minutes.
Game 1 should have served as a wake-up call for the Thunder.
