OKLAHOMA CITY — Four years ago, the paths of the Hawks and then-head coach Lloyd Pierce diverged.

The Hawks parted ways with Pierce on March 1, 2021, just ahead of their run to the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the Bucks in five games. After that season ended, Pierce became the lead assistant for the Indiana Pacers.

And how Pierce’s fortunes have turned.

The Pacers won an exhilarating opening game of the NBA Finals over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night after trailing by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter. A midrange jumper by guard Tyrese Haliburton with three-tenths of a second left capped a 32-16 Pacers run over the final 10 minutes.

It’s just the latest in a whirlwind breakthrough season for the Pacers, who emerged from the Eastern Conference as th

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