"They never die" - Ariel Helwani and others react to Tyrese Haliburton securing clutch win for Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals Game 1

Ariel Helwani recently weighed in on Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch performance that propelled his team to a stunning playoff victory. On Thursday night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a thrilling 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The first half showcased the Thunder’s defensive dominance, as they forced 19 turnovers and held the Pacers to just 45 points. However, their grip loosened in the second half. Despite trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter and still down by five with just 90 seconds remaining, Indiana mounted a stunning comeback. Haliburton sealed the upset with a dramatic game-winning shot with only 0.3 seconds left on the clock.

It wasn’t just the hoop heads who were stunned by Haliburton’s clutch heroics that lifted the Indiana Pacers to victory, as members of the MMA community also chimed in. Among them was combat sports journalist Helwani, who took to X to share his amazement at the thrilling finish:

When Ariel Helwani slammed NBA All-Star Weekend while praising NHL 4 Nations Face-Off

The 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff unfolded this February across two iconic venues: Montreal’s Bell Centre and Boston’s TD Garden. The tournament featured a round-robin competition between top hockey nations—Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States—with Team Canada ultimately coming out on top.

Meanwhile, the NBA All-Star Weekend also took place in February in San Francisco, where Shaq’s OGs triumphed over Chuck’s Global Stars to win the featured tournament.

Ariel Helwani took to X to voice his disappointment with the NBA All-Star Weekend. He felt the event lacked excitement and fell flat compared to the intensity and energy of the NHL 4 Nations Faceoff:

About the author

With over two years at Sportskeeda, Pranav has authored over 2,900 articles, drawing millions of views across a diverse range of topics. While MMA and boxing remain his primary forte, his expertise extends well beyond combat sports. From political analysis to lifestyle trends and other compelling subjects, his work reflects versatility.

His passion for MMA was ignited by iconic moments such as Brock Lesnar’s groundbreaking UFC debut and Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise to superstardom. These events made him understand the unfiltered, gritty essence of competition, drawing him in with their raw authenticity.

Pranav admires fighters like Alex Pereira for their precision and resilience, as well as the inspiring narratives they bring to the sport. His work also emphasizes the importance of fighter safety, with a focus on issues such as weight-cutting regulations.

Pranav prioritizes thorough research and thoughtful writing, ensuring the integrity of every piece. He is committed to unbiased reporting, always considering multiple perspectives to craft insightful, fact-driven narratives that resonate with readers.

Beyond his professional life, Pranav is passionate about following cricket, discovering new terrains, and engaging in meaningful social connections.

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