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The Indiana Pacers pulled off one of the most improbable playoff comebacks in franchise history Wednesday night, stunning the Knicks on the road 138-135 in overtime to open the Eastern Conference Finals. But while Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith lit up the Garden, fans back in Indiana had their hearts fixed on someone else—Jim Irsay, whose recent passing cast an emotional shadow over the postseason.
Fueled by the energy of Irsay’s legacy, the Pacers surged late. Indiana trailed by 14 points with under three minutes to play in regulation before Nesmith exploded for a flurry of threes. Haliburton tied it with a wild step-back two-pointer, moments after nearly losing control of the ball—then punctuated it with a choke sign to the crowd, channeling Reggie Miller’s iconic moment from 1994.
Haliburton finished with 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith added 30 points, hitting eight of nine from deep. Andrew Nembhard sealed it in OT with the go-ahead bucket, giving the Pacers a 1-0 lead in this intense Eastern Conference showdown.
Following the thrilling Game 1 win, emotional tributes flooded social media from fans dedicating the victory to Irsay.
@atioberoi posted: “MR IRSAY THIS ONE WAS FOR YOU. THE PACERS DID THIS FOR YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU MR IRSAY#YesCers”
@jramirezmendia wrote: “Dear Jim Irsay, your passing has filled our state with sorrow, but all Hoosiers know that it was your hand from above that tipped Tyrese Haliburton’s shot to send the Pacers game into overtime.”
@Be__Mamba echoed the sentiment: “R.I.P Mr. Irsay. Pacers winning it all for you!”
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals is set for Friday night in New York. But after Game 1, it's clear this run is about more than basketball. The Irsay death has united fans, inspired the players, and turned the NBA Playoffs into a tribute to a Hoosier legend.
