Play You Only Imagine: Indiana Pacers’ ‘Football Maneuver’ Stuns Opponents in Nail-Biting One-Point Victory

Tyrese Haliburton referred to it as “a football play” – and he made sure to convert the extra point as well.

With the Indiana Pacers needing a three-pointer to level the match against the Milwaukee Bucks in the dying seconds on Wednesday (AEDT), a charging Haliburton collected a handoff-style inbound pass along the left sideline. He leapt over Giannis Antetokounmpo while fading out of bounds and nailed the three-pointer despite being fouled.

Haliburton capped off the remarkable play with a free throw for a stunning four-point play, leaving just 3.4 seconds on the clock. The Pacers clung on for a 115-114 win over the Bucks as Antetokounmpo’s buzzer-beater attempt failed.

“It really was a football play,” Haliburton shared, acknowledging that his teammates executed crossing routes effectively.

“It was fantastic to see it come together. The first time we ran it in training camp two years ago, I made the same shot. I just hadn’t had the ball since then.”

“I usually don’t enjoy running that play,” he added with a chuckle.

Haliburton mentioned he wasn’t concerned about stepping out of bounds during the play.

“I’ve taken that shot often enough to be aware of my positioning on the court,” he explained. “It was just about getting it off. I jumped higher than usual and thankfully, it went in.”

Haliburton praised Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and his staff for their talent in devising plays, crediting assistant coach Jenny Boucek for the initial concept while mentioning assistant Mike Weinar made some adjustments.

“An incredible sequence of events,” Carlisle noted. “What a play that was, and to think Reggie (Miller) was in the house. They’ll reminisce about Tyrese’s shot for many years to come.”

Miller, a Hall of Famer who spent his entire career with the Pacers, was commentating for TNT during the game.

“There are certainly many Reggie moments in this arena,” Haliburton remarked. “I’m just trying to carve out my own legacy.”

Haliburton had missed the last three matches due to a hip injury, all resulting in losses for the Pacers.

His return was pivotal in helping Indiana equalise with fourth-placed Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference standings, as he finished the game with 14 points, shooting 5-of-12, along with 10 assists.

“It’s the kind of stuff you dream about,” Haliburton stated.

“I’m grateful my teammates had faith in me. I made some silly mistakes down the stretch, including missing a three-pointer over Brook (Lopez) and a questionable travelling call.”

Pascal Siakam, who led the Pacers with 25 points and 12 rebounds, was left in awe of his teammate.

“That was an impossible angle, right over Giannis,” Siakam remarked. “I doubt he could even see over him.”