In a heart-stopping finish, Tyrese Haliburton sank a game-winning shot as time expired, leaving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his team reeling after a narrow defeat in Game 1 of the playoff series. The Oklahoma City Thunder were in control for much of the game, but a late surge from the Indiana Pacers culminated in Haliburton’s clutch basket, sealing a thrilling victory.

Gilgeous-Alexander, visibly shaken, reflected on the heartbreaking moment, admitting he felt confident in his own shot that could have put the Thunder ahead but lamented its failure to find the net. “Basketball has its ups and downs. It is what it is,” he stated, stressing the importance of learning from the loss. “We have to be better for next game.”

The intensity of the moment was palpable, with the arena buzzing as Haliburton took the final shot. “He just made a play with the time winding down,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted, acknowledging the exceptional talent of his opponent. The defeat stings, but the Thunder star remained focused on the bigger picture, stating, “The series isn’t first to one, it’s first to four.”

Despite the setback, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized resilience, recalling past playoff experiences where they bounced back stronger after losing Game 1. “We lost game one before, and we came out a better team. That’s our mentality—learn a lesson from the loss.”

With the series still very much alive and four games ahead, the Thunder are determined to regroup, shake off the disappointment, and come back fighting in Game 2. The stakes are high, and the urgency is palpable as they aim to reclaim momentum and set the tone for the remainder of the playoffs.