The Mismatch

Pacers Pull Off Another Comeback—Is OKC in Trouble? Plus, the Knicks’ Future Without Thibs.

·1 hr 8 min·5 clips
The Pacers steal Game 1 from the Thunder with a lead taken only 0.3 seconds before the final buzzer.
The episode opens with immediate shock and disbelief from the hosts as they process the Pacers' last-second win, marking their fourth consecutive playoff comeback. They recount the game's final minutes, highlighting Andrew Nembhard's crucial three-pointer and Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot. The discussion delves into the Pacers' first-half struggles, including 20 turnovers, and how they cleaned up in the second half with only four turnovers and improved three-point shooting. The hosts question the Thunder's supporting cast, noting Chet Holmgren's and Jalen Williams' quiet performances despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong outing. They debate whether the series is now competitive or if the Thunder remain heavy favorites, referencing historical betting odds. The conversation shifts to the New York Knicks' firing of Tom Thibodeau, with the hosts expressing confusion and theorizing about player-coach dynamics. They compare the Pacers' ability to adjust mid-game to the Knicks' perceived failures, emphasizing coaching and execution differences. Throughout, the hosts weave in analysis of specific plays, such as Obi Toppin's threes and defensive stops, while maintaining a focus on the broader implications for both series.

As heard by us

A nine-point Thunder lead turns into a .3-second Finals jolt, with the debate grounded in the game's oddest details.

The Mismatch lands on the Pacers' Game 1 comeback while the surprise still has heat on it. Indiana was down nine to Oklahoma City with 2:52 left, then took its first lead with .3 seconds remaining, and Chris Vernon and Dave Jacoby use that finish as the frame for a bigger Finals…

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Why you'd press play

You want a Finals Game 1 postmortem that turns a nine-point Oklahoma City lead into a .3-second nightmare.

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