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Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in New York had a thrilling ending that will be ed for years. The Knicks held a 14-point lead with just over two minutes remaining and a nine-point lead with less than a minute left. However, the Indiana Pacers mounted an incredible comeback. Aaron Nesmith scored 20 points in the final five minutes of regulation-the most in the second half of a playoff game since 1996-setting the stage for the comeback. Tyrese Haliburton embodies clutch genes, going 11-for-12 on shots to tie or take the lead in the last two minutes this season. This includes a game-tying shot that would have won it outright had his shoe been half a size smaller, sending the game into overtime.
The Pacers' resilience was on full display. This marked the fourth comeback win from a deficit of seven or more points in the final 50 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime since the 1996-97 season. Three of those comebacks are from the Pacers, and all three have occurred this postseason! You simply can't count the Pacers out; their fourth-quarter resilience is amazing.
Haliburton's Father s the Celebration in a Bar
The belief that Haliburton's shot had sealed the game was palpable in the arena and in the bar where John Haliburton, Tyrese's father, was watching. Barred from attending Indiana's playoff games since an incident involving Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers' Game 5 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, John mimicked the celebration of Reggie Miller, now a broadcaster who was covering the game. However, the shot only tied the game, leading to overtime, where the Pacers maintained their momentum to close it out.
John's exuberant reaction was captured on video. He was wildly excited, mirroring his son's intensity. Tyrese's performance was epic: he scored 31 points and had 11 assists. This contributed to the Pacers' 18-1 record when he scores 25+ points, including the playoffs. John's celebration, though premature, underscored the emotional stakes, especially given Tyrese's second ECF appearance and the magnitude of the game.
His actions, while overzealous, were a testament to the family's investment in Tyrese's career. Despite the backlash from his earlier court-storming incident with Giannis, which was minor but poorly timed given Giannis's status and post-elimination frustration, John remained ive. On NBA on TNT, Charles Barkley publicly called for Adam Silver to reconsider the punishment, arguing, "Adam, I'm asking you, hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he's been punished," with Draymond Green vocally agreeing. John will likely return for Games 3 and 4 in Indiana, but his bar celebration will linger as a memorable moment.
Looking Ahead: The Series Continues
Yesterday's exhilarating game is now history for both teams, and Kobe Bryant's mantra, "Job not finished," rings true. There's still much to play for in this series. Last season, these teams met in the semifinals, and the series went to seven games. It looks poised to do so again. Game 2 is tomorrow in New York. The Knicks dominated until the final minutes but will undoubtedly learn from their mistakes. However, the Pacers have proven time and again that you can't let up, not even for a second. Tyrese Haliburton's performance, coupled with the team's knack for late-game heroics, sets the stage for a fiercely competitive series.
The Knicks' home crowd will be electric, but the Pacers' resilience, fueled by moments like Nesmith's scoring spree and Haliburton's clutch play, suggests they're ready for the challenge. As both teams prepare for the next battle, John Haliburton's viral celebration serves as a reminder of the high stakes and emotional intensity that define playoff basketball.