Jaw-Dropping Comebacks and Masterful Coaching: How Nate McMillan’s Pacers Are Redefining Playoff Resilience in 2025

The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks will be remembered as one of the most electrifying games of this postseason—and arguably one of the best in years. The narrative was filled with drama, heartbreak, and an incredible display of grit, perseverance, and tactical genius. The Pacers overcame seemingly impossible odds, clawing back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Knicks 138-135 in overtime on the road.

If you thought the Knicks had this locked up with less than a minute to go—leading by nine points at 121-112—you weren’t alone. For most fans and analysts, the game was effectively over. But Indiana had other plans, spearheaded by an extraordinary late-game surge from their backcourt stars and a masterclass coaching performance by Nate McMillan that showcased why this team is such a nightmare come playoff time.

The Collapse and the Comeback: A Statistical Rarity

Let’s put the comeback into perspective. Down by 17 points in the fourth quarter, and later trailing by 14 points with just three minutes left, the Pacers defied all historical precedent. Since 1996-97, NBA teams trailing by 14 or more points with fewer than three minutes to play in the playoffs have never pulled off a win—until now. The Pacers became the first team in nearly three decades to accomplish this feat. Moreover, when looking at teams down by seven or more points in the final 50 seconds of playoff games, the record since the late 90s stood at 4-1702 before the 2025 playoffs. Remarkably, three of those rare wins have come this very year from Indiana—against the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and now the Knicks—with Tyrese Haliburton stepping up each time in clutch moments.

Tyrese Haliburton: The Clutch King

Haliburton has emerged as the defining figure in these comebacks. His postseason averages speak to his efficiency and poise: 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, shooting a respectable 48.1% from the field and maintaining just 2.1 turnovers per contest. But his true value lies beyond raw stats—Haliburton’s ability to rise under pressure is unmatched this year. For instance, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, he played 42 minutes, scoring 31 points on 12-for-23 shooting, including 4-for-12 from beyond the arc, with 11 assists and a team-best plus-minus of +15.

His impact is most felt when the game is on the line. Down by three or fewer points in the final minute this postseason, Haliburton has hit 4 of 5 shots, tallying 12 points in those moments alone. His insane ability to clutch up when it matters most is a huge reason the Pacers have repeatedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Buddy Hield’s Explosive Fourth Quarter

Another hero in the dramatic comeback was Buddy Hield. He finished the night shooting 13-for-9 from the field, an astounding 9-for-8 from three-point range, totaling 30 points. His fourth-quarter performance was historic—scoring 20 points in the final 12 minutes, including an NBA playoff first: hitting six three-pointers in a single quarter. Those treys completely flipped the momentum and brought Indiana back from a 17-point hole. Hield’s ability to keep firing deep shots when the pressure was mounting had Knicks fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

Bennedict Mathurin’s Overtime Brilliance

While Haliburton and Hield stole the spotlight, Bennedict Mathurin quietly took over the overtime period. He contributed 7 of his 15 points in OT, including a crucial three-pointer that stopped the Knicks from pulling away early in the extra frame. Mathurin’s hustle and playmaking didn’t stop there—he assisted Jalen Tolbert for a thunderous alley-oop dunk and made two key defensive plays disrupting Jalen Brunson’s attempts to win the game at the buzzer. Mathurin’s impact on both ends was crucial in sealing the improbable victory.

Nate McMillan: The Unsung Mastermind

Beyond the players, the architect of this comeback was undoubtedly head coach Nate McMillan. His strategic brilliance and calm demeanor were evident throughout the game and especially during crunch time. McMillan’s challenges in critical moments were perfect, nullifying Knicks’ opportunities and shifting momentum back to the Pacers. His trust in Hield’s shooting and patience in letting his team execute down the stretch paid off handsomely.

A standout example of McMillan’s game management was the final timeout with 0.2 seconds left in overtime. Instead of allowing Jalen Tolbert’s improbable ultra-long three-point shot to count, McMillan had prepared a play knowing the NBA rule that shots cannot be released with less than 0.3 seconds on the clock. That level of detail and rule savvy exemplifies why McMillan is one of the most respected coaches in the league.

Furthermore, McMillan’s commitment to deep rotations and a democratic offense stands out in today’s playoff landscape, where many coaches rely heavily on tight 7- or 8-man rotations. Indiana has maintained a 10-man rotation even at this late playoff stage, ensuring all players are involved, fresh, and ready to contribute. This approach fosters incredible team chemistry and trust, exemplified by the seamless ball movement and clutch scoring from multiple contributors late in the game.

The Pacers’ Depth and Resilience

Unlike many other contenders who rely on a star-studded starting five, the Pacers’ strength lies in their depth and collective effort. Indiana boasts eight players averaging at least eight points per game this postseason, highlighting their balanced attack and unpredictability. They don’t depend on a single star to carry the load but instead move the ball constantly, ensuring everyone touches the rock. This “everyone gets a touch” philosophy has kept defenses off balance and allowed players like Hield, Mathurin, and Haliburton to shine when it counts.

The Pacers’ resilience has been evident all year. Their 2025 regular-season record places them fourth in the league behind only the Thunder, Celtics, and Cavaliers. Two of those three teams are already out of the playoffs, making Indiana’s deep run even more impressive. This team’s grit, depth, and smart coaching give them a legitimate shot at disrupting the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

Historical Echoes and Future Hopes

It’s worth recalling that McMillan’s influence echoes back to 2011 when the Dallas Mavericks, also an underdog team, shocked the basketball world to win the NBA championship. McMillan’s savvy coaching and ability to maximize role players have been vital to those Mavericks, and now with the Pacers, he seems poised to replicate that magic.

For years, Indiana was overlooked and underestimated, but this postseason has proven they’re anything but pushovers. They have the clutch shot-makers, the defensive tenacity, the depth, and perhaps most importantly, the mental toughness and leadership to thrive on the big stage.

A Final Word on a Season of Miracles

The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 was more than just a basketball game—it was a testament to resilience, strategy, and the unpredictable beauty of sports. The Pacers’ improbable comeback was a fitting showcase of why this team, under Nate McMillan’s steady hand and with stars like Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Bennedict Mathurin, deserves to be taken seriously as true title contenders.

In an era where star power often dictates outcomes, Indiana’s collective grit and tactical brilliance remind us that basketball is a team sport first and foremost. And when the stakes are highest, it’s not just talent but heart, trust, and preparation that win championships.

Expert Commentary

What we witnessed from Nate McMillan and his Pacers is a modern-day blueprint for overcoming adversity in playoff basketball. His decision to utilize a deep rotation, prioritize situational awareness, and empower his players to play with freedom and confidence has been nothing short of revolutionary this postseason. The composure he instills is palpable; his teams don’t fold under pressure—they thrive.

Moreover, the way McMillan prepares his players for clutch situations, instills discipline on both ends of the floor, and manages the game’s finer details is a masterclass in coaching. His ability to read the flow, make timely challenges, and trust in his players’ skills is arguably unmatched among current NBA coaches.

Nate McMillan isn’t just coaching a team; he’s molding a resilient, selfless basketball culture that could carry Indiana deep into the playoffs and potentially all the way to a title. If this Game 1 is any indication, the Pacers aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving—and the NBA landscape will have to reckon with them.