Tyrese Haliburton didn’t celebrate long after burying the game-winning jumper in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Following Indiana’s dramatic 111-110 win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, the All-Star guard turned his focus toward Game 2.
“Game 1’s over,” Haliburton told reporters on Friday. “We’ve got to be better, point blank.”
The 25-year-old acknowledged Indiana’s 25 turnovers and shaky execution for much of the game. Despite his clutch shot with 0.3 seconds left, Haliburton was critical of the Pacers’ performance.
“You can’t expect to win too many games like that,” he said. “We were sloppy. We know it.”
The Pacers trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter before Rick Carlisle’s lineup change shifted the momentum. Indiana outscored Oklahoma City 35-25 in the final frame and closed the game on a 17-7 run.
Haliburton’s last-second jumper marked his fourth game-winner of the postseason.
“I knew we had enough time, and I trusted the play coach drew up,” Haliburton said. “I just had to get to my spot.”
Indiana now holds a 1-0 lead in the series, but Haliburton made it clear there is no room for complacency.
“That team across from us was the best in the West for a reason,” he said. “Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) was cooking. We’ve got to lock in better.”
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points and nearly secured the win for Oklahoma City with a go-ahead jumper before Haliburton’s answer.
When asked about the quick turnaround before Sunday’s Game 2, Haliburton emphasized preparation.
“We’re going to clean up film, get our bodies right, and come out better,” he said. “Every game in the Finals is a war. We can’t waste possessions like that again.”
Haliburton credited Indiana’s bench for sparking the rally, particularly Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell.
“They changed the game,” he said. “That second unit saved us.”
Despite the Game 1 win, Haliburton said the Pacers are not satisfied.
“It’s a series. One game doesn’t mean anything unless we keep building on it,” he said. “We’ve got to stay hungry.”
Game 2 tips off Sunday night at Paycom Center, where the Thunder will look to bounce back and even the Finals before the series shifts to Indianapolis.
