Pacers Stunning Game 5 Comeback Shatters Nearly Thirty Year Old Record

Jeremy Hanna | Apr 30, 2025

Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates a made basket during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers are officially moving forward in the 2025 NBA Playoffs after a shocking 119-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

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This came after the Pacers had a terrible start to the game, being down 30-13 in the first quarter. By halftime, they had narrowed the gap to 47-41. In the end, they would wind up tying the game to send it into overtime.

3 minutes of the best highlights from our Round 1 victory over the Bucks 🎥 pic.twitter.com/5w9ls24FfN

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025

With 35 seconds left in the game, Indiana was down seven points and victory seemed sealed for Milwaukee. However, the Pacers stepped up, scoring eight points and the win.

This not only secured the Pacers' spot in the semifinals, but a place in NBA history.

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By making that 40 second comeback, the Pacers have become the first team in nearly 50 years to eek out a victory.

"Since 1977-78, teams trailing by 7+ points in the final 40 seconds of 4Q or OT in the NBA playoffs were 0-1,609," the Pacers shared on social media. "1-1,609 now. No quit."

since 1977-78, teams trailing by 7+ points in the final 40 seconds of 4Q or OT in the NBA playoffs were 0-1,609.

1-1,609 now. no quit. pic.twitter.com/5K170e0eY8

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025

"This one will go down as one of the all-time great Pacers wins because of the circumstances, because of what was on the line," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said, per ESPN. "Ty, obviously, authored a big part of this ending. So congratulations to him."

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Haliburton had his best game of the series, recording 26 points, nine assists, five total rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. This included the final six points that won the game.

"I got a little down about it," Haliburton said, referring to missed shots toward the end of the fourth quarter. "But my teammates encouraged me to stay with it. They said we would get a chance to win at the end, they would rely on me to do that."

In addition to Haliburton, center Myles Turner and forward Aaron Nesmith also had great games. Turner put up 21 points and nine total rebounds while Nesmith had 19 points, 12 total rebounds, and three assists.

Now, the Pacers are headed to Ohio to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, Indiana has more wins than any other team against the Cavaliers this season, so who knows how the series cold turn out.

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For more news and notes about the Indiana Pacers, head on over to Indiana Pacers on SI.