At the Buzzer: R4G7 — Thunder 103, Pacers 91 | Haliburton Exits in 1st, OKC Crowned Champions
Indiana lost a lot more than just Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton went down in the first, then left the arena on crutches and his right foot in a boot. Their magical ride ended in OKC.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle sat down at the table of the interview room for his usual pre-game interview with reporters. He was asked about his team’s effort and execution in comeback situations — and he had something else on his mind.
“I just saw a video that's probably going to go viral of some buses, open-top buses, presumably for the parade that are already painted with them as champions,” he said. “That's all I'm thinking about right now.”
(Click here for the video he was referencing)
Carlisles answered seven more questions, short and direct, including a follow-up about the busses. “I already talked about it,” he replied.
Carlisle has the experience, he has a championship, and he knew this would be motivation for a team that has thrived being the underdog and counted out. Not just in this series or in the playoffs, but all season long.
No player on either roster has ever played in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. But he coached the Dallas Mavericks to championship in 2011, a clear coaching advantage in the 20th Game 7 in the history of the NBA Finals. It’s the first since 2016.
The game officials were James Capers, Josh Tiven, Sean Wright, and James Williams (alternate). Surprisingly no Scott Foster — one of the top-rated officials.
Tyrese Haliburton (right calf strain) was officially questionable, but he wasn’t going to miss this one. Jarace Walker (right ankle sprain) and Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) were both out.
The ESPN announcing crew — for the entire series: Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, and Lisa Salters.
Sports books favored the Thunder by 7 points. (They have been favored in all seven games.)
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: The Pacers did not get their storybook ending. The game was tied at 16 with 4:55 left in the first quarter when a franchise-altering move happened.
Again.
Tyrese Haliburton received a pass 28 feet from the basket on the left arc, made a typical cutting move Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed, and he failed to power off his right leg. It gave out on him and he crumbled to the floor in pain.
Twelve seconds later, after head athletic trainer Josh Corbeil arrived on the scene, Haliburton appeared to say “I did it” as he was visibly upset and in pain. Soon after, the entire team surrounded him, an emotional moment for this close-knit group playing in the biggest games of their lives.
And it had only just gotten started.
Haliburton was in a groove, sinking 3-of-4 3-pointers for nine of their first 16 points in seven minutes. But then everything changed in a hurry.
The Pacers hung in there for the reminder of the half, but then turnovers quickly piled up and the Thunder outscored the Pacers 43-20 to begin the second half to take firm control.
The Thunder were the heavy favorites. They were the 68-win team. All the pressure was on them at home and they closed out the Pacers to secure the first championship in franchise history, beating the Pacers 103-91 in a game that featured a wave of emotions.
It was the worst-case scenario for Haliburton and the Pacers as he dealt with discomfort in his lower-right leg all series. There was the limp in Game 2 after playing at Paycom Center, then suffered a calf strain in Game 5 — at the same spot on the same court.
He did everything in his power to defy the odds, to finish the series alongside his teammates, but his right Achilles gave out on him — a non-contact injury.