Tyrese Haliburton feels the Indiana Pacers "let the rope slip" in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Pacers lost 123-107 in the second game, splitting the series 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Indianapolis.

The Thunder were back to their offensive best in Game 2 and punished the Pacers early on before holding onto their lead. The Western Conference champions went on a 19-2 run in the second quarter to take the game away from the Pacers.

Pacers guard Haliburton said they lost the momentum built from Game 1 in that quarter.

"Any time you're the lower seed in a play-off series, you know your job is to go split or go try to get one on the road," Haliburton said.

"We got Game 1, you know, but it felt like we really let the rope slip there in the second quarter."

Tyrese Haliburton in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/mCrnOPEdo5

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 9, 2025

Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam added: "I think you want to win every game you play. So, we are not happy with how the game went today, and that's it."

The Pacers were looking to join the 1986 Boston Celtics, 1987 Los Angeles Lakers, 1996 Chicago Bulls and 2017 Golden State Warriors as teams to win the first two games of every play-off series in a single postseason.

Only the 1993 Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets won the first two finals games on the road, both going on to win the titles in those seasons.

Head coach Rick Carlisle insisted he is focused on the future rather than the past.

"I'm not interested in talking about the past," Carlisle said.

"Each day, as you are on a play-off run, is like a new day. I find that looking back is a dangerous thing. We've got to keep our eye firmly where it needs to be."

Game 3 of the NBA Finals takes place on June 11 in Indianapolis.