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Big Rick Carlisle Announcement Made Following Pacers' Stunning Game 1 NBA Finals Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 10:39 AM ET

The Indiana Pacers trailed by 12 points at halftime in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night and committed a staggering, historic 20 turnovers in the first half alone.

They finished with 24 total turnovers—compared to just six by the Oklahoma City Thunder—who also held a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter on their home floor.

But if Tyrese Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle have shown anything this postseason, it’s that the Pacers should never be counted out—regardless of the deficit.

Indiana stormed back in the final minutes and, with under 10 seconds remaining, found themselves down just one point. That’s when Haliburton stepped up. He created space for a deep mid-range jumper and calmly buried the shot, giving the Pacers a 111–110 lead with only 0.3 seconds left.

TYRESE HALIBURTON DID IT AGAIN ‼️

His game-winner STEALS Game 1 of the #NBAFinals for the @Pacers pic.twitter.com/hF6QqN67Kf
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 6, 2025

Indiana now holds a 1–0 series lead over OKC—and following the win, a historic stat surfaced about Carlisle, who’s looking to capture his second NBA championship as a head coach.

There have only been three fourth-quarter comebacks of 15 or more points in the NBA Finals since 1971. Remarkably, Rick Carlisle coached two of them: Thursday night’s comeback, and the Dallas Mavericks’ rally in the 2011 Finals against the Miami Heat, led by Dirk Nowitzki.

There have been 3 4th-quarter comebacks of 15+ points in the NBA Finals since 1971.

The last 2 were by Rick Carlisle-coached teams.

6/2/2011: Mavericks 95, Heat 93
6/5/2025: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 pic.twitter.com/RXdqpQzQmJ
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2025

Indiana was outplayed in most facets of Game 1 against the Thunder. But Oklahoma City failed to capitalize on the Pacers’ 24 turnovers—something that has typically fueled OKC’s dominance all season.

That inefficiency kept Indiana within striking distance, and down the stretch, their defense rose to the occasion. Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner hit clutch shots, and Tyrese Haliburton delivered once again in the biggest moment—burying his fourth go-ahead or game-tying shot in the final seconds of this postseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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