The Indiana Pacers overturned a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter before beating the New York Knicks in overtime to win the opening game of their NBA Eastern Conference finals series 138-135.
Jalen Brunson ended the night with 41 points for the Knicks and helped them to lead 69-62 at half-time.
The hosts continued to pull away and were 14 points clear with two minutes and 51 seconds left to play.
However, Indiana scored six straight three-pointers – five by Aaron Nesmith – before Tyrese Haliburton forced overtime with a two-point shot on the buzzer.
Momentum remained with the Pacers in overtime as they recorded a famous victory at Madison Square Garden.
“I’m so proud of the resilience of this group, we’ve shown it all year. We’ve had to win in so many different, random, unique ways and we just kept going, kept fighting, and man, that’s fun,” Haliburton told TNT.
“We played a lot of games where it felt like the other team had control.
“It ain’t over until it’s over, until it hits zero. That’s a hell of a win. But I really do think there’s a lot for us to improve on.”
Haliburton thought he had won the game in regulation time when attempting a three-pointer – even mimicking Hall of Famer Reggie Miller’s infamous ‘choke’ celebration – but replays showed his toe was on the line and it only counted for two.
It is the fourth time the Pacers have won from being 15 points or more behind during the post-season.
“There’s obviously a disappointment when you fall short,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“We got to be ready for game two, and that’s all you look at. So, the disappointment, we’ve got to turn that into more determination.”
The second game of the best-of-seven series takes place in New York at 01:00 BST on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – who led Oklahoma City Thunder to victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one of the Western Conference finals – has been named as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for 2024-25.
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