The Thunder led for the vast majority of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Pacers. In fact, Oklahoma City was either tied or held the lead in matchup for nearly every second of play. Indiana was leading for only 0.3 seconds of the game, and it was the most important three-tenths of a second of its season so far.
The Thunder’s biggest lead of the game was 15, which they had with 9:28 left in the game. The Pacers ramped up the offense, strung together defensive stops and ended up in a position to win with a clutch shot.
And that is what star guard Tyrese Haliburton delivered.
The Most Overrated Player In The NBApic.twitter.com/QEUtMY4PJb
— The Jugo Mobile (@sportingnews) June 6, 2025
Despite being named the most overrated player by his peers, Haliburton delivered his fourth game-winning bucket of the playoffs. As expected, this led to some pretty great reactions from social media.
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Here are the best reactions to Haliburton’s Game 1 winner.
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Best reactions to Haliburton’s Game 1 winner
Caitlin Clark
Clark has been a big supporter of Haliburton and the Pacers since she was drafted with the first overall pick by the Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She is known to go to Indiana home games when she can, but wasn’t able to be in person for Game 1 on the road in Oklahoma City. Still, Clark was tuned into the game and posted a perfect reaction on X/Twitter.
YOU CANT MAKE IT UP ?????????????????
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) June 6, 2025
John Haliburton
John Haliburton has been a supportive father for Tyrese during his NBA career, but sometimes he has gotten too supportive. The elder Haliburton got into a shouting altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the playoffs and was suspended from attending games in that series. He is back in action for the NBA Finals, even on the road, but made sure not to get too caught up in the moment after his son’s shot.
John Haliburton making sure he doesn’t get suspended from Pacers games again ??
Completely unphased by Halis game winner pic.twitter.com/WFK0pwKYxv
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 6, 2025
Dwayne Wade
Wade had plenty of memorable playoff career moments from his 16-year career. In a game-recognize-game situation Wade went nuts at the shot, even going so far as to call Haliburton a “superstar.”
“SUPERSTAR! SUPERSTAR!”
Dwyane Wade’s LIVE REACTION of the Tyrese Haliburton Game Winner? pic.twitter.com/UgqSrZp2Cn
— Wy Network by Dwyane Wade (@wynetwork) June 6, 2025
Pacers fans watching at home arena
Indiana was on the road to start the NBA Finals. Still, the Pacers faithful filled Gainbridge Fieldhouse and watched the game on the Jumbotron. Those who stuck with their team through their fourth-quarter deficit got to celebrate the game-winner. The best part of the clip is that you can hear the silence from the exact millisecond that Hali releases the shot before the eruption of cheers.
It’s always Haliburton! pic.twitter.com/rAJn1AhWbp
— Jeremiah Johnson (@PacersJJ) June 6, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton is signed with Puma for a shoe deal. His first signature shoe, the “Hali 1”, is set to hit stores in September, but he debuted them in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The star guard celebrated his shot on the court with his teammates and in postgame interviews, but posted a classic response on X/Twitter.
It’s gotta be the shoooeeesss
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 6, 2025
Pacers employees
Indiana chartered two flights to Oklahoma City for team employees to watch Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Their reaction to Haliburton’s game winner was incredible, with an eruption of cheers reverberating through a mostly silent Paycom Center.
The Pacers chartered two flights for their employees to attend Game 1 of the NBA Finals in OKC.
This is their employee section when Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winner:pic.twitter.com/ztuNw681jp
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 6, 2025
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