In the thrilling conclusion of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, four key players emerged as critical figures: Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard from the Indiana Pacers, along with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. With 2 minutes and 16 seconds left, Williams missed a crucial 3-pointer that could have extended the Thunder’s lead to 9 points. This was immediately countered by Nembhard, who scored a three-pointer over Gilgeous-Alexander on the next play.
As the game tightened, Oklahoma City was barely ahead by a point when Gilgeous-Alexander missed a pull-up jumper with just 11 seconds remaining. The Pacers seized the rebound, quickly transitioning the ball to Haliburton, who clinched the game with a shot that went in with only 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
All four players—Haliburton, Nembhard, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Williams—have significantly contributed to their teams’ successes in recent seasons. Their paths in the league can be traced back to a pivotal transaction in 2007, when Sam Presti, then general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics, executed a sign-and-trade deal involving forward Rashard Lewis. This trade not only reshaped the SuperSonics but also laid the foundational blocks that led to the participation of both the Pacers and the Thunder in the 2025 Finals. The intertwined legacies of these players and their teams highlight the lasting impact of decisions made over a decade ago, culminating in thrilling playoff moments today.
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