Haliburton's Buzzer-Beater Sparks Pacers' Epic Game 1 Comeback

NEW YORK — With 2:51 left in regulation, the Indiana Pacers trailed the New York Knicks by 14 points in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. What followed was an NBA playoff record: 23 points scored by Indiana in the final 3:14 of the fourth quarter, the most ever in that span, according to Associated Press reporter Tim Reynolds. Aaron Nesmith ignited the comeback, draining six 3-pointers in the period to match an NBA playoff quarter record while finishing 8-for-9 from deep for 30 points. Down by two with 7.3 seconds remaining, Tyrese Haliburton took the inbound pass near the top of the arc. His long jumper banked high off the rim and dropped, tying the score at 125-all. Video replay confirmed Haliburton's foot was on the 3-point line, ruling it a two-pointer and sending the game to overtime. Thinking it was a game-winner, Haliburton taunted the crowd with Reggie Miller's iconic choke sign toward Knicks fans — with Miller himself calling the game for TNT. In overtime, Andrew Nembhard hit the go-ahead basket with 26 seconds left, and a successful Indiana challenge erased New York's final possession. The Pacers held on for a 138-135 victory, their third massive playoff comeback this postseason. Earlier, they erased a seven-point Bucks deficit with under a minute left in overtime in the first round and overcame a seven-point hole against the Cavaliers with 46 seconds in regulation during the semifinals. Haliburton tallied 31 points and 11 assists, joining Nesmith as the third Pacers duo to score 30 apiece in a playoff game. The win marks the first time in 27 postseasons — across 971 games — that a team down 14 entering the final 2:51 of a quarter won, per Pacers team stats. Game 2 tips off Friday night at Madison Square Garden.