Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith etched his name into NBA playoff lore during Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals by becoming the first player in league history to hit six three-point field goals in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. His incredible performance played a pivotal role in the Pacers’ remarkable 138–135 overtime comeback victory against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
This high-stakes thriller, which many are already calling one of the most memorable playoff games of the decade, saw Indiana storm back from a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes. While All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton finished with a team-high 34 points and 12 assists, it was Nesmith’s flawless shooting in the final period that stole the spotlight — and the game.
The Turning Point
With 5:06 remaining in regulation, the Pacers trailed 111–98. Nesmith, who had been relatively quiet for most of the game, re-entered the lineup and immediately ignited a historic scoring run. Over the next five minutes, the 25-year-old sharpshooter buried six straight three-pointers and added two free throws, tallying 20 points without a single miss.
What made this feat even more impressive was the timing. Every shot Nesmith took was high-pressure and game-altering. His sixth and final three-pointer tied the game with seconds left in regulation, sending the contest into overtime. The Knicks, reeling from the unexpected surge, couldn’t recover.
A Career-Defining Moment
Before this breakout performance, Nesmith had never made more than four three-pointers in a playoff game. Known more for his defense and hustle plays, the former Vanderbilt standout elevated his game on the league’s biggest stage — under the brightest lights in basketball’s most iconic arena.
“I just let it fly,” Nesmith said in the postgame interview. “I’ve been putting in the work, and tonight it paid off in a way I never imagined. My teammates kept feeding me, and I kept shooting with confidence.”
His heroics drew immediate comparisons to Reggie Miller’s legendary 8 points in 9 seconds against the Knicks in 1995, also at Madison Square Garden. And like Miller, Nesmith stunned a packed New York crowd into silence with every clutch shot.
Setting a New NBA Playoff Record
Nesmith’s six threes in a single fourth quarter shattered the previous playoff record and set a new NBA benchmark. While players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have dominated from beyond the arc, no one had ever caught fire so explosively and so late in a postseason game.
The Pacers’ coaching staff praised Nesmith’s preparation and resilience.
“He’s the kind of guy who stays ready, no matter what,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “We’ve seen him hit big shots before, but this was something else. This was historic.”
Implications for the Series
With this dramatic Game 1 victory, the Indiana Pacers take a crucial 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The momentum clearly shifts in their favor as they prepare for Game 2, still riding the emotional high of their incredible comeback.
For the Knicks, the loss is a bitter pill. They controlled much of the game and had seemingly locked up the win — until Nesmith changed everything.
The Legend Begins
Whether or not Indiana goes on to win the series, Aaron Nesmith’s fourth-quarter barrage will be remembered for years to come. It wasn’t just a game-changing performance; it was the kind of playoff moment that builds legacies.
NBA fans, analysts, and former players took to social media to praise Nesmith’s explosive performance, with some calling it the “greatest clutch shooting display in modern playoff history.”
In a postseason filled with stars, it was Aaron Nesmith — a role player turned hero — who delivered the shot heard ’round the league.
