Tyrese Haliburton just delivered one of the coldest playoff moments of 2025.
With 1.1 seconds left on the clock, Haliburton stepped back and buried a clutch three-pointer to give the Indiana Pacers a stunning 120–119 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Just like that, Indiana stole both games in Cleveland — and now holds a commanding 2–0 series lead.
“This is what I do.” — Haliburton
The game-winner came in chaotic fashion. With Indiana trailing 119–117, Haliburton was fouled on a layup by Donovan Mitchell and went to the line with 12.1 seconds remaining. He sank the first free throw, then intentionally or accidentally missed the second — but chased down his own rebound.
What followed was pure ice:
Haliburton reset behind the arc, stepped back over Ty Jerome, and launched a 24-foot dagger from the top of the key. Net. Silenced crowd. Pandemonium on the Pacers bench.
“There was no chance I was passing it down the line,” Haliburton told TNT postgame. “This is what I do. Just trying to make a big play.”
Mitchell’s Masterpiece Spoiled
Cleveland looked like it had this game in the bag.
Behind Donovan Mitchell’s 48-point explosion, the Cavs led by as many as 20 points in the second half. He bullied his way to the basket, drew 21 free throws, and seemed completely unstoppable for most of the night.
But the final minute was a collapse of epic proportions:
- Mitchell got dunked on by Aaron Nesmith after a missed Siakam free throw.
- On the next possession, he elbowed Nesmith in the face trying to escape a trap — giving the ball back to Indiana.
- Max Strus then turned it over on a critical inbounds play.
That final blunder set the stage for Haliburton’s heroics.
Haliburton Battled Through Injury
What makes the moment even more impressive? Haliburton played through a wrist injury he suffered in the second quarter. He left the court in pain and reportedly got X-rays at halftime, but stayed in the game with his wrist heavily taped.
He finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists — including the only two threes he attempted all game. One just happened to be the biggest shot of his career.
Cleveland Fans Chanted “Overrated” — That Didn’t Age Well
Throughout the game, Cavaliers fans rained “overrated” chants on Haliburton — a reference to a recent anonymous player poll that labeled him as the league’s most overrated star.
His response? A dagger, a win, and a mic-drop postgame interview.