Tyrese Haliburton Drains Last-Second Three as Pacers Shock Cavs to Take 2-0 Series Lead

Tyrese Haliburton is quickly cementing his reputation as one of the most clutch performers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Indiana Pacers guard delivered once again, sinking a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to lift his team to a dramatic 120-119 comeback victory over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Pacers seized a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series — and for the second time this postseason, they pulled off a near-impossible comeback in the final minute.

Indiana scored the final eight points in the last 47.9 seconds. After Cleveland’s Max Strus drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Cavs’ lead to 117-110 with just over a minute to go, the Pacers responded with relentless pressure and poise. Andrew Nembhard’s key steal off an inbounds pass set the stage for Haliburton’s heroics.

Haliburton was fouled with 14 seconds remaining and hit 1-of-2 free throws, but managed to collect his own miss. After dribbling back out, he fired from the top of the arc and nailed the go-ahead shot, giving Indiana the lead with just over a second left on the clock.

“I was [ticked] I missed the layup because I couldn't hang onto the ball, so I backed it out,” Haliburton said. “I just saw Ty Jerome, top of the key, and knocked it down. We don’t give up. We’re battle-tested and we just find a way.”

It’s a continuation of a clutch postseason for Haliburton, who also hit the game-winning layup in Indiana’s first-round clincher against Milwaukee. According to ESPN Stats & Info, he joins LeBron James (2018) as the only players since 1997-98 with multiple go-ahead field goals in the final two seconds of multiple playoff games in the same postseason.

Indiana got strong performances from across the roster. Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith each scored 23 points, and Nembhard added 13 points and 13 assists. The Pacers shot over 50% from the field and dominated the final stretch despite a monster night from Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell poured in 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting, adding nine assists and five rebounds for a Cavaliers team that was once again hit hard by injuries. Cleveland was missing three key players: Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (ankle), De’Andre Hunter (thumb), and point guard Darius Garland (toe), who missed his fourth consecutive game.

Despite leading by 17 late in the third quarter and 7 with just over a minute left, the Cavaliers couldn’t close. Turnovers and missed assignments allowed Indiana to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

“You don't see this very often, let alone twice in one week,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “Tyrese came through again. We’re very fortunate.”

Cleveland now faces an uphill battle as the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3.

Game Stats – Indiana Pacers

Top Performers:

Myles Turner:
23 points, 8 rebounds, 2-5 3PT
Aaron Nesmith:
23 points, 3 rebounds, 5-8 3PT
Tyrese Haliburton:
19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-11 FG, 2-2 3PT
Andrew Nembhard:
13 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds
T.J. McConnell (bench):
19 points, 6-10 FG, 6-6 FT

Team Totals:

FG: 44-85 (51.8%)
3PT: 11-28 (39.3%)
FT: 21-29 (72.4%)
Rebounds: 44 (11 OREB, 33 DREB)
Assists: 28
Turnovers: 17
Steals: 7
Blocks: 9
Final Score: 120

Game Stats – Cleveland Cavaliers

Top Performers:

Donovan Mitchell:
48 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 17-21 FT
Jarrett Allen:
22 points, 12 rebounds, 8-8 FT
Max Strus:
23 points, 5-12 3PT
Sam Merrill (bench):
14 points, 4-9 3PT

Team Totals:

FG: 39-90 (43.3%)
3PT: 11-39 (28.2%)
FT: 30-35 (85.7%)
Rebounds: 43 (14 OREB, 29 DREB)
Assists: 24
Turnovers: 13
Steals: 11
Blocks: 5
Final Score: 119

< Older Post Newer Post >

A basketball player is dunking a basketball into the net

Duke Basketball’s Khaman Maluach Rising Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft

May 7, 2025

Duke Basketball’s Khaman Maluach Rising Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft

WWE NXT Results – May 6, 2025

By Jose Hernandez • May 7, 2025

WWE NXT Results – May 6, 2025

MLB results and upcoming matchups - Wednesday, May 7, 2025

By Jose Hernandez • May 7, 2025

Final Scores – Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Phillies 8, Rays 4 Kyle Schwarber ties MLB lead with 12th HR Win: Zack Wheeler (3-1, 3.35 ERA) Loss: Drew Rasmussen (1-3, 3.09 ERA) Yankees 12, Padres 3 Austin Wells hits grand slam during 10-run 7th inning Win: Frankie Cruz (1-0, 1.37 ERA) Loss: Adrian Morejon (1-1, 3.57 ERA) Braves 2, Reds 1 (10 innings) Marcell Ozuna hits walk-off single Win: Raisel Iglesias (2-2, 4.50 ERA) Loss: Lyon Richardson (0-1, 2.25 ERA) Guardians 9, Nationals 1 (Game 2 of Doubleheader) Win: Ben Lively (2-2, 3.46 ERA) Loss: Brad Lord (1-4, 4.45 ERA) Twins 9, Orioles 1 Carlos Correa hits 458-foot home run Win: Pablo Lopez (3-2, 2.18 ERA) Loss: Cade Povich (1-3, 5.55 ERA) Royals 4, White Sox 3 Bobby Witt Jr. delivers walk-off hit Win: Tyler Clarke (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Loss: Corey Booser (0-3, 5.40 ERA) Brewers 4, Astros 3 Jake Bauers homers in big 1st inning Win: Colin Patrick (2-3, 3.08 ERA) Loss: Hayden Wesneski (1-3, 4.50 ERA) Save: Trevor Megill (4) Giants 14, Cubs 5 (11 innings) Giants score 9 runs in 11th Win: Erik Miller (2-0, 0.73 ERA) Loss: Ryan Pressly (2-2, 7.62 ERA) Cardinals 2, Pirates 1 Alec Burleson hits game-winning RBI double Win: Matthew Liberatore (3-3, 3.07 ERA) Loss: Paul Skenes (3-4, 2.77 ERA) Save: Gordon Graceffo (1) Angels 8, Blue Jays 3 Yoan Moncada hits 3-run homer Win: Hector Neris (1-1, 27.00 ERA) Loss: Yimi Garcia (0-2, 4.20 ERA) Diamondbacks 5, Mets 1 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hits 2-run homer Win: Zac Gallen (3-4, 4.37 ERA) Loss: David Peterson (2-2, 3.52 ERA) Mariners 5, Athletics 3 Win: Cody Snider (0-0, 3.52 ERA) Loss: Tyler Ferguson (0-0, 2.00 ERA) Save: Carlos Vargas (1) Game Postponed Tigers at Rockies Rescheduled for May 8 due to inclement weather Upcoming Games – Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Guardians (21-15) at Nationals (17-20) 5:05 PM ET at Nationals Park, Washington, DC Probable Pitchers: CLE: Logan Allen (1-2, 4.02 ERA) WSH: Mike Soroka (0-1, 7.20 ERA) Astros (17-18) at Brewers (19-18) 6:10 PM ET at American Family Field, Milwaukee Probable Pitchers: HOU: Framber Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA) MIL: Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79 ERA) Pirates (12-25) at Cardinals (18-19) 6:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium, St. Louis Probable Pitchers: PIT: Mitch Keller (1-3, 4.38 ERA) STL: Sonny Gray (3-1, 4.12 ERA) Giants (23-14) at Cubs (22-15) 7:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field, Chicago Probable Pitchers: SF: Robbie Ray (4-0, 3.05 ERA) CHC: Ben Brown (3-2, 4.88 ERA) Mariners (20-14) at Athletics (20-16) 8:35 PM ET at Sutter Health Park, Sacramento Probable Pitchers: SEA: Bryce Miller (4-1, 2.58 ERA) OAK: Gunnar Hoglund (1-0, 1.50 ERA) Mets (23-14) at Diamondbacks (19-17) 8:40 PM ET at Chase Field, Phoenix Probable Pitchers: NYM: Kodai Senga (3-2, 1.38 ERA) ARI: Merrill Kelly (3-1, 4.06 ERA) Dodgers (24-12) at Marlins (14-21) 9:40 PM ET at loanDepot Park, Miami Probable Pitchers: LAD: Landon Knack (1-0, 7.27 ERA) MIA: Valente Bellozo (0-2, 4.97 ERA) Rangers (18-18) at Red Sox (18-19) 11:45 PM ET at Fenway Park, Boston Probable Pitchers: TEX: Tyler Mahle (3-1, 1.19 ERA) BOS: Tanner Houck (0-2, 6.38 ERA)