Tyrese Haliburton is quickly cementing his reputation as one of the most clutch performers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Indiana Pacers guard delivered once again, sinking a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to lift his team to a dramatic 120-119 comeback victory over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
With the win, the Pacers seized a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series — and for the second time this postseason, they pulled off a near-impossible comeback in the final minute.
Indiana scored the final eight points in the last 47.9 seconds. After Cleveland’s Max Strus drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Cavs’ lead to 117-110 with just over a minute to go, the Pacers responded with relentless pressure and poise. Andrew Nembhard’s key steal off an inbounds pass set the stage for Haliburton’s heroics.
Haliburton was fouled with 14 seconds remaining and hit 1-of-2 free throws, but managed to collect his own miss. After dribbling back out, he fired from the top of the arc and nailed the go-ahead shot, giving Indiana the lead with just over a second left on the clock.
“I was [ticked] I missed the layup because I couldn't hang onto the ball, so I backed it out,” Haliburton said. “I just saw Ty Jerome, top of the key, and knocked it down. We don’t give up. We’re battle-tested and we just find a way.”
It’s a continuation of a clutch postseason for Haliburton, who also hit the game-winning layup in Indiana’s first-round clincher against Milwaukee. According to ESPN Stats & Info, he joins LeBron James (2018) as the only players since 1997-98 with multiple go-ahead field goals in the final two seconds of multiple playoff games in the same postseason.
Indiana got strong performances from across the roster. Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith each scored 23 points, and Nembhard added 13 points and 13 assists. The Pacers shot over 50% from the field and dominated the final stretch despite a monster night from Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell poured in 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting, adding nine assists and five rebounds for a Cavaliers team that was once again hit hard by injuries. Cleveland was missing three key players: Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (ankle), De’Andre Hunter (thumb), and point guard Darius Garland (toe), who missed his fourth consecutive game.
Despite leading by 17 late in the third quarter and 7 with just over a minute left, the Cavaliers couldn’t close. Turnovers and missed assignments allowed Indiana to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“You don't see this very often, let alone twice in one week,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “Tyrese came through again. We’re very fortunate.”
Cleveland now faces an uphill battle as the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3.
Game Stats – Indiana Pacers
Top Performers:
- Myles Turner:
- 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2-5 3PT
- Aaron Nesmith:
- 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5-8 3PT
- Tyrese Haliburton:
- 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-11 FG, 2-2 3PT
- Andrew Nembhard:
- 13 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds
- T.J. McConnell (bench):
- 19 points, 6-10 FG, 6-6 FT
Team Totals:
- FG: 44-85 (51.8%)
- 3PT: 11-28 (39.3%)
- FT: 21-29 (72.4%)
- Rebounds: 44 (11 OREB, 33 DREB)
- Assists: 28
- Turnovers: 17
- Steals: 7
- Blocks: 9
- Final Score:
120
Game Stats – Cleveland Cavaliers
Top Performers:
- Donovan Mitchell:
- 48 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 17-21 FT
- Jarrett Allen:
- 22 points, 12 rebounds, 8-8 FT
- Max Strus:
- 23 points, 5-12 3PT
- Sam Merrill (bench):
- 14 points, 4-9 3PT
Team Totals:
- FG: 39-90 (43.3%)
- 3PT: 11-39 (28.2%)
- FT: 30-35 (85.7%)
- Rebounds: 43 (14 OREB, 29 DREB)
- Assists: 24
- Turnovers: 13
- Steals: 11
- Blocks: 5
- Final Score:
119
