Tyrese Haliburton Calls Game: Pacers Edge Thunder in Dramatic Fashion
In a game that felt like a playoff preview, Tyrese Haliburton once again reminded the NBA world why he’s one of the league’s most exciting young stars.
With just 2.5 seconds left on the clock, the Indiana Pacers were staring down a tough Oklahoma City Thunder squad. The game was tied. The tension at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric. Then, Haliburton caught the inbounds pass, rose above the defender, and drained a cold-blooded three at the buzzer — sealing a stunning 121-118 victory for Indiana.
A Statement Win for the Pacers
This wasn’t just any win for the Pacers. The Thunder came into the matchup as one of the Western Conference’s top teams, riding high on a dynamic season led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Indiana, meanwhile, has been steadily climbing the Eastern Conference ranks, powered by Haliburton’s court vision and clutch gene.
The back-and-forth battle saw 17 lead changes and eight ties. Both teams shot above 50% from the field and put on an offensive clinic. But when the moment came, it was Haliburton — calm, calculated, and fearless — who stepped up and iced the game.
“We executed the play exactly how we drew it up,” Haliburton said postgame. “I knew the shot was going in.”
Inside the Game-Winner
With the score knotted at 118, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play that isolated Haliburton on the wing. He received a perfect pass from Buddy Hield, used a quick jab step to create space, and launched a smooth three-pointer over Lu Dort — one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.
The shot splashed through as time expired. Fans erupted. Haliburton didn’t even celebrate — he just turned and walked away, knowing he’d just delivered one of the season’s signature moments.
Haliburton’s Heroics in Perspective
Haliburton finished the night with 26 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds. His command of the game in crunch time has been growing with each passing week. This buzzer-beater marks his second game-winning shot of the season and cements his place among the NBA’s most clutch performers.
For Indiana, it’s a confidence-boosting win against a legitimate title contender. And for Haliburton, it’s another notch in what’s shaping up to be an All-NBA campaign.
Thunder Fall Short Despite Big Night from SGA
On the other side, Oklahoma City had plenty to be proud of. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 31 points and nearly dragged the Thunder to a road win. Rookie Chet Holmgren added 19 points and 8 boards, while Josh Giddey contributed 15 points and 7 assists.
Still, the Thunder will rue their final possession — a missed opportunity to retake the lead before Haliburton’s dagger. They’ll also be revisiting their defensive coverage in those final 2.5 seconds.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Pacers, this win could be a tone-setter. As the playoff race intensifies, every statement win builds momentum. Haliburton’s clutch play is exactly the kind of X-factor that could propel Indiana deep into the postseason.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City will need to bounce back quickly. This was their second close loss in three games, and while they’ve been consistent all year, late-game execution will need sharpening come playoff time.
Social Media Reacts
NBA Twitter exploded after the shot.
“ICE in his veins. Tyrese Haliburton is HIM,” tweeted one user.
The Pacers’ official account simply posted: “HE CALLED GAME.”
The clip of the game-winner has already racked up millions of views across platforms, and it’s safe to say this moment will live in highlight reels for a long time.
📌 Final Take
Tyrese Haliburton didn’t just hit a game-winner — he made a statement. In a league brimming with superstars, the 24-year-old Pacers guard is carving out a name for himself in the most thrilling way possible: by delivering when it matters most.
As the season heats up, don’t be surprised if this win is the spark that lights Indiana’s playoff fire.