Pacers vs. Knicks: Tyrese Haliburton Erupts for Historic Triple-Double in Game 4 as Indiana Takes 3-1 Lead
Tyrese Haliburton delivered a flawless performance on Tuesday night in Indianapolis, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 130-121 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. With this win, the Pacers now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead, putting them on the brink of their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years.
Haliburton’s standout game included a 32-point triple-double, with 15 assists and 12 rebounds, and remarkably, he did not commit a single turnover. This makes him only the third player, joining Oscar Robertson and Nikola Jokić, to achieve a 30-15-10 triple-double in the playoffs. He is the first to do so without a turnover.
Haliburton’s dominance was evident from the start. He scored 15 points in the first quarter, leading the Pacers to an early advantage. His six assists and five rebounds in the first period made him just the second player, and the first since LeBron James, to record at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a playoff quarter in the play-by-play era.
Despite the Knicks tying the game early in the second quarter with a 9-2 run, the Pacers maintained a five-point lead at halftime. Haliburton entered the break just two rebounds shy of his triple-double.
In the second half, the Pacers continued to outpace the Knicks. Haliburton’s defensive prowess was on display when he stole the ball from Jalen Brunson, helping the Pacers maintain their lead. A crucial 9-4 run to end the third quarter extended their advantage to 11 points.
Pascal Siakam’s corner three-pointer in the fourth quarter extended the Pacers’ lead to 15 points, their largest of the game. Although the Knicks made a late push, cutting the deficit to two possessions, the Pacers held firm, securing the victory with a three-minute stretch without allowing a Knicks field goal.
Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a knee injury during the game, colliding with Myles Turner in the final quarter. Despite the pain, Towns continued to play, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points, though he was largely contained in the fourth quarter.
With a 3-1 series lead, the Pacers now face the challenge of closing out the series at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The Knicks, desperate to avoid elimination, will need to significantly improve their performance to overcome the Pacers’ formidable lead.