Tyrese Haliburton stunned the basketball world Thursday night, drilling a clutch 21-foot three-pointer with just 0.3 seconds remaining to cap a remarkable comeback for the "Indiana Pacers" against the "Oklahoma City Thunder" in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The dramatic shot not only secured a crucial road victory for the Pacers but also ignited passionate reactions from basketball legends watching the game unfold.
"Haliburton is a superstar," former Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade declared emphatically after the game. "First of all, this is one of the greatest games I've watched as a fan. I don't think you understand when you're out of rhythm and you're struggling...to take that shot, and to make that shot, he's a cold one."
The moment carried extra significance as Haliburton has faced persistent questions about his elite status in the league. Wade's forceful endorsement seems designed to end that debate once and for all.
Interestingly, Wade suggested another NBA icon might soon reach out to congratulate the Pacers' point guard on his ice-cold performance.
"Allen Iverson will call him, and probably say, you're a cold one," Wade added. "In the Finals? Everybody who's played basketball, if you've ever picked up a basketball, you've always dreamed of hitting a game winner in the biggest game of your life."
The shot's significance can't be overstated - a Finals game-winner on the road that instantly transforms a player's reputation. As Wade put it: "Y'all better stop playing with Haliburton."
Fans won't have to wait long to see how the Thunder respond to this heartbreaking defeat. Game 2 tips off Saturday at approximately 8 p.m. EDT, broadcast live on ABC from the PayCom Center in Oklahoma City.
Can Haliburton deliver another clutch performance, or will the Thunder find an answer for the Pacers' newly-crowned superstar? The drama continues this weekend.
