Tyrese Haliburton delivered one of the most iconic moments in recent Indiana Pacers playoff history Tuesday night, blowing past Giannis Antetokounmpo for a go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to complete an 8-0 closing run and lift the Pacers to a dramatic 119-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. With the win, Indiana secured a 4-1 series triumph and punched its ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where top-seeded Cleveland awaits in Game 1 on Sunday.
Haliburton finished with 26 points and 10 assists, improving to 9-0 in home playoff games. But his clutch layup wasn’t the only highlight — it was the culmination of a wild closing sequence that saw Indiana force two crucial turnovers in the final 29 seconds of OT and erase a seven-point deficit.
After missing key shots late in regulation, Haliburton needed a lift from his teammates to stay alive — and they delivered.
Andrew Nembhard ignited the comeback with a three-pointer to make it 118-114 with 34.1 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Nembhard stole Gary Trent Jr.’s inbound pass near the sideline, leading to Haliburton’s three-point play that cut it to 118-117. With Indiana applying full-court pressure, Trent fumbled a long outlet pass out of bounds with 10.8 seconds left, setting the stage for Haliburton’s heroics.
Myles Turner contributed 21 points and nine rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith added 19 points and 12 boards for Indiana, which again proved its resilience in the face of a more experienced opponent.
For the Bucks, it was a bitter end to another disappointing postseason. Antetokounmpo did everything he could to extend the series, recording a monster triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists. Trent Jr. added 33 points and hit four of his eight three-pointers in overtime, but his two late turnovers proved fatal.
The loss marks Milwaukee’s third straight first-round playoff exit — and the second consecutive one at the hands of the Pacers. The final moments of the game were marred by a midcourt scuffle between the two teams, sparked when Haliburton’s father, John, stormed onto the court and exchanged words with Antetokounmpo. Haliburton, unaware of the fracas, celebrated atop the scorer’s table, arms raised, channeling Reggie Miller as the yellow-shirted crowd roared in approval.
“This is what playoff basketball is all about,” Haliburton said postgame. “You’ve got to fight for every possession, and we fought to the very end.”
Now, Indiana turns its attention to the Cavaliers, with the confidence of a surging squad and a rising star in Haliburton who continues to shine brightest when the lights are at their hottest.
