The Indiana Pacers pulled off a dramatic Game 1 win in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, rallying from a double-digit deficit to stun the New York Knicks in overtime. Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second shot forced the extra period, and Indiana completed the comeback to steal a 138–135 victory at Madison Square Garden. Among those watching closely was Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who shared her reaction on social media.
Clark, who’s become one of the most prominent voices in basketball, posted her thoughts via X (formerly Twitter). Her message was short but powerful: “PACERS ARE THE GREATEST COMEBACK TEAM I’VE EVER SEEN.” Her reaction captured the shock and excitement fans across the country felt watching the Pacers flip the script in such dramatic fashion.
The comeback sequence was nothing short of stunning. With just under three minutes remaining, Jalen Brunson drilled a deep three that gave the Knicks a 119–105 lead. It looked like the game was all but over. But Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith refused to let the Pacers fold, hitting timely shots to close the gap. Indiana clawed its way back and had possession down two in the final seconds.
On the game’s final possession in regulation, Haliburton initially attacked the paint looking to tie. But seeing the lane clogged, he pulled the ball back out, stepped just inside the arc, and let it fly. The jumper swished through as time expired. Though his foot was on the line, making it a two-pointer instead of a game-winner, it was enough to force overtime—and ignite belief in the Pacers’ bench and fan base.
The moment instantly went viral, especially Haliburton’s celebration. After the shot, he mimicked the infamous “choke” gesture made famous by Pacers legend Reggie Miller—who happened to be calling the game courtside for TNT. The tribute wasn’t lost on fans, and the symbolism of Haliburton embracing Pacers NBA playoff history was impossible to miss.
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After the game, Haliburton addressed the celebration. “I wasn’t like plotting on it or anything,” he said. “It just happened.” While some may have seen it as a bold taunt, Haliburton framed it more as a spontaneous nod to franchise history, not something premeditated or disrespectful.
Still, the 24-year-old admitted he “might have wasted it,” since the shot only forced overtime rather than won the game. Asked if he’d do it again in the future, Haliburton laughed it off. “If I do it again, people might say I’m aura farming. I don’t plan on using it again.”
Haliburton led the way with 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting, 11 assists, and a steal in 42 minutes. Nesmith was equally pivotal, draining eight three-pointers on his way to 30 points. Together, they powered the Pacers to one of the most improbable playoff wins in recent memory—and earned the admiration of basketball fans everywhere, including one of Indiana’s biggest rising stars.
