Pacers Stun OKC Thunder to Steal Game 1 of NBA Finals

Live updates for Game 1 of the Finals between Oklahoma City and Indiana.

May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

On Thursday evening, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and East champion Indiana Pacers will face off in Game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals.  Tyrese Haliburton would hit the go-ahead jumper with just 0.3 on the clock to seal the game.

Here were live updates for Game 1 of the NBA Finals:

First Quarter: Thunder 29, Pacers 20

The Thunder got off to a quick 7-0 start behind hot shooting, but the Pacers would respond by settling in with a few buckets themselves to cut the lead to just two.

The Pacers would even the game at 10-10, which would be met with a quick-strike from the Thunder to make the lead six. Neither team has been able to settle into offense well, with the Pacers turning it over much more than normal, and OKC missing open shots.

All in all, Oklahoma City would force seven first-quarter turnovers on Indiana to open the series, taking a nine-point lead after the first frame.

Halftime: Thunder 57, Pacers 45

The Thunder would build their lead to 11 just a few minutes into the second frame, using a combination of elite defense and fast-paced transition offense. The Indiana second unit kept the team afloat, but was unable to dig into the lead.

Immediately after entering, Pascal Siakam was able see an essential coast-to-coast putback on the free throw to make it just a four-point game. A Luguentz Dort triple, though, would give OKC extra breathing room.

A second Dort 3-pointer would force a Pacers' timeout with OKC up, 47-37.

The Thunder would force 20 first-half turnovers on Haliburton and the Pacers, somehow managing just a 12-point lead going into the break.

Third Quarter: Thunder 85, Pacers 76

The teams would trade blows to open the third, with Indiana settling into easier, turnover-free offense. But OKC finding success by putting Haliburton in actions.

The third quarter has been a competitive one, with the Pacers trying their best to mount a comeback while the Thunder keep them at arm's length. Dort has continued his hot shooting, but Indiana is finding the offensive rhythm that saw them reach the Finals. With just a minute remaining, the lead stands at 79-68, Thunder.

Fourth Quarter:

The fourth started off slow, with Oklahoma City finding more of the momentum. On the overthrown inbounds pass, Jalen Williams would take it the length of the court for a slam that would put the home team up 15 with just under 10 minutes to play.

With back-to-back triples, Indiana has cut the lead down to just eight with 7:44 to play.

With white-hot shooting courtesy of Myles Turner, Obi Toppin and more, the Pacers have cut the lead to just four with around five minutes to play.

SGA would stabilize OKC somewhat late, but shot-making from Indiana cut the lead to just three with a minute to play.

With just 0.3 on the clock, Tyrese Haliburton would hit the go-ahead jumper to give the Pacers the late lead.