Wednesday night’s playoff showdown at Madison Square Garden had all the makings of a classic—and it delivered.
But for Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, the dramatic ending came with a hard lesson in timing and humility.
What looked like a game-winning moment quickly turned into a humbling misstep.
Haliburton’s last-second heroics appeared to seal the win, only for replay to flip the script and drag the game into overtime.
Haliburton’s “Game-Winner” Sparks Choke Gesture, Then Chaos
With the clock ticking down in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Haliburton pulled up and drained what looked like a clutch three-pointer right at the buzzer.
The ball took a dramatic bounce off the backboard before sinking through the net, setting off wild celebrations on the Pacers’ bench.
Caught in the moment, Haliburton mimicked NBA legend Reggie Miller’s infamous “choke” celebration—a jab Miller once aimed at Spike Lee courtside during a heated playoff game against the Knicks in 1994.
But here’s the twist: the celebration came a bit too early.
Replays Show His Foot Was on the Line
As the Garden crowd gasped and replays rolled, it became clear Haliburton’s foot was slightly on the line.
That meant his clutch shot wasn’t a three after all—it was only worth two points.
Instead of walking away with a buzzer-beater victory, the Pacers were suddenly staring down overtime.
Still, Indiana wasn’t about to let that error define the night.
Pacers Rally in Overtime to Seal the Win
Despite the drama, Haliburton’s teammates rallied around him.
The Knicks, who had been up by 14 points with less than three minutes left in regulation, suddenly found themselves scrambling.
Aaron Nesmith lit it up with a string of three-pointers to get Indiana back in the fight.
In overtime, it was Andrew Nembhard who stepped up big, hitting the go-ahead bucket with just 26 seconds left.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Pacers had pulled off a 138–135 comeback win.
Caitlin Clark Cheers On Her Friend as Knicks Fans React
Haliburton may have had a rocky moment, but his support system was quick to lift him up.
WNBA rookie and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, a close friend of Haliburton, took to social media right after his buzzer play.
She posted on X, “PACERS ARE THE GREATEST COMEBACK TEAM I’VE EVER SEEN,” showing her excitement in real time.
Still, plenty of fans were quick to point out the irony.
Many reminded social media users that Reggie Miller’s original “choke” gesture came in a series the Pacers actually lost—so maybe not the best omen to copy in the middle of a high-stakes game.
Knicks Blow Huge Lead as Series Heats Up
While Haliburton walked away with a lesson and a win, the Knicks were left reeling.
Holding a comfortable double-digit lead late in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t close the deal.
The collapse now puts added pressure on New York heading into Game 2, scheduled for Friday night.
As for Haliburton, he’ll likely think twice before pulling out iconic celebrations—at least until the scoreboard confirms the W.