Pacers comeback vs. Knicks: Indiana steals Game 1 behind Aaron Nesmith's 3s, Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater

The Pacers mounted one of the greatest comebacks in recent postseason history on Wednesday night, turning a 17-point fourth quarter deficit into a 138-135 win vs. the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The match was a slugfest filled with spills and thrills. Fueled by Aaron Nesmith's and Tyrese Haliburton's heroics, Indiana captured a decisive win. The duo left an indelible mark in the Pacers-New York rivalry, too.

Here's what you need to know.

Pacers comeback vs. Knicks, explained

Indiana trailed by 14 with 2:51 left in the fourth, appearing effectively resigned to a Game 1 defeat. Nesmith and Haliburton had other plans, spearheading the Pacers' rally with a barrage of long shots.

Nesmith launched five triples in the final three minutes of regulation. All five found their target, nestling calmly into the net amid an increasingly quiet Madison Square Garden crowd.

Nesmith produced 18 points in quick succession to put Indiana on the ascendancy. Haliburton, who canned a three-pointer of his own to spark Indiana's rally, returned to the fore as the clock dwindled. OG Anunoby missed a free throw with 7.1 seconds left, giving the Pacers an opportunity to tie — or even win the game.

The ball found its way to Haliburton, one of the league's premier players in crunch time. He showed just why as the clock struck 0.o, sinking a step-back triple at the horn to deliver a win to Nap Town.

At least, that's what it seemed like. Replay review showed that Haliburton's foot grazed the three-point line. The game was level at 125. And the match was headed to overtime.

The next five minutes were a blur, filled with highlight-reel baskets and a frenzy of whistles. When the dust settled on the match, it was Indiana who frolicked beneath the MSG lights, victorious in a contest that seemed nigh on impossible to win a few minutes before.