Tyrese Haliburton hit a step-back three with 1.1 seconds left as Indiana beat Cleveland 120-119 in Game 2 on 6 May 2025.
The Pacers scored the final eight points in 47.9 seconds to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-final.
Indiana erases seven-point deficit in final minute
Donovan Mitchell’s free throws put Cleveland ahead 119-112 with 57 seconds remaining.
Aaron Nesmith scored, Mitchell committed an offensive foul and Pascal Siakam’s layup cut the margin to three. Andrew Nembhard then intercepted Max Strus’s inbounds pass.
Haliburton drove, drew a foul and made the first free throw. He missed the second, secured his own rebound, backed beyond the arc and made the winning shot.
Haliburton answers Cleveland’s chants
“It’s the NBA, crazier things have happened,” Haliburton said. “We don’t give up and we’re battle tested. We just find a way.&
Cleveland fans had chanted “overrated” while he shot free throws. Haliburton finished with 19 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Mitchell’s 48 points go unrewarded
Mitchell scored 48 points with nine assists as the short-handed Cavaliers led by 17 in the first quarter and again late in the third.
Evan Mobley, De’Andre Hunter and Darius Garland were unavailable. Cleveland’s weakened rotation could not finish a game it controlled for most of the night.
The Pacers returned home with two road wins and another late Haliburton basket, less than a week after he decided Game 5 against Milwaukee.
