Last Serial
A relentless and surprising squad, an underdog superstar snatching souls on the road, game winners every other night, supposed supernatural forces, and a tragic end. The 2024-2025 Indiana Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton had the greatest playoff run I’ve ever seen. No one had them going to the finals, and certainly not how they got there.
Tyrese Haliburton hit game winners in EVERY single series to send teams packing in the East including Giannis and the Bucks, Spida and the Cavs, and Brunson and the Knicks. Each series clinching game winner better and more brilliant than the last. Tyrese Haliburton was turning into a literal demon warrior burning the opposing franchise to the ground until the dust settled with each round. So much so, there were conspiracies that the Pacers and Hali made a deal with the Devil. Pascal Siakam in game 6 vs OKC in pre game, was also seen having his eyes roll back in his head seemingly entering a flow state before they crushed the Thunder to force a game 7. However, this was not supernatural, just the pure grit and determination of a jaded squad that wanted it more than their opponent.
The defining moment of that whole playoff run? The Game 1 winner from Tyrese Haliburton in the NBA Finals vs the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder. I am fortunate enough to own this piece of encapsulating NBA history in a singular moment. The perfect mint for a perfect ending. Even though tragedy would strike Hali at the end of the series in game 7 ending his season, they were looking like they were going to win that final game before it happened. Oh, what could have been. I will forever cherish that legendary playoff run performance with this moment in my collection forever.
The shot that haunted the finals forever.
