Tyrese Haliburton’s Legendary Night: Pacers Grab 3-1 Series Lead Over Knicks
After watching a comfortable lead melt away in Game 3, Tyrese Haliburton didn’t dodge the heat. He stepped up to the mic, owned the collapse, and promised to come back swinging. That’s exactly what he did.
In Game 4, Haliburton came out with a purpose. From the very first possession, it was clear he was locked in. He wasn’t just playing basketball — he was commanding the game. By the final buzzer, he had dropped a jaw-dropping triple-double: 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds — and not a single turnover. With that performance, he carried the Indiana Pacers to a 130-121 victory over the New York Knicks and a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Making History on the Big Stage
It wasn’t just a good night. It was historic.
Since the NBA started tracking turnovers in 1977, no one had ever recorded at least 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in a playoff game without turning the ball over — until Haliburton did it. On a night where every pass, shot, and rebound mattered, he played with the calm of a seasoned vet and the fire of a superstar determined to make a mark.
“I just wanted to be aggressive,” Haliburton said. “I knew I could do better than I did in Game 3. I owed it to my teammates, to our fans — and to myself.”
A Family Moment: Haliburton’s Dad Returns
Adding another layer to an already emotional night was the return of Haliburton’s father, John, to the stands. After a heated incident with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round, John had stayed away from the last eight playoff games. But for Game 4, the Pacers made sure he was back — seated in a private suite, quietly supporting his son.
“It meant a lot having him here,” Tyrese said. “But more than anything, I just wanted to show I could bounce back. This was about proving to myself and the team that we could respond with our backs against the wall.”
Not a One-Man Show: The Pacers Show Up Together
Haliburton’s night was extraordinary, but he wasn’t alone out there. Pascal Siakam added 30 points, showing the kind of steady, veteran presence that makes him so valuable in big games. Bennedict Mathurin, who hadn’t played a major role earlier in the series, came off the bench with energy and confidence, chipping in 20 huge points.
The whole team seemed to click. The Pacers shot over 51% from the field and knocked down 40% of their three-pointers. Their signature fast pace returned, and the ball zipped around with purpose.
“Just getting back to playing like us,” said forward Aaron Nesmith. “When we’re running, sharing the ball, and playing loose — that’s our identity.”
And Haliburton was at the center of it all. His passing wasn’t just efficient — it was electric. His assists led directly to 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting, an incredible 63.6% clip. Even under playoff pressure, he made everything look easy.
Source: Tyrese Haliburton triple-double keys Pacers’ Game 4 win vs. Knicks
The Stars Came Out — On and Off the Court
The building was packed and buzzing. The Pacers went all-out to create a playoff atmosphere, inviting back some of the franchise’s favorite faces like Jermaine O’Neal, George Hill, and Lance Stephenson. A-listers from outside the basketball world joined too: WWE legend Triple H, rapper 50 Cent, singer John Mellencamp, and country star Jelly Roll were all in attendance, bringing even more excitement to the night.
The Knicks brought their own crew of supporters — Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, and Ben Stiller made the trip to Indianapolis. But it was the home crowd that had the last laugh.
After the game, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle couldn’t hide his admiration for Haliburton’s performance.
“It’s honestly incredible,” Carlisle said. “This is becoming his thing — he doesn’t turn the ball over. There might need to be a stat category named after him one day.”
Carlisle even mentioned Haliburton in the same breath as some of the game’s great floor generals — Chris Paul, John Stockton, LeBron James. “These guys take pride in controlling the game without making mistakes. Tyrese is right there with them,” he said.
One Win Away: Eyes on the Finals
The Pacers are now just one win from the NBA Finals — a place they haven’t been since 2000. Game 5 will be Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. With the Knicks backed into a corner, the Pacers know they’ll have to bring the same energy and focus on the road.
But if Haliburton keeps playing like this, it might not matter where the game is played.
Tuesday night’s performance wasn’t just about stats — it was about leadership, redemption, and belief. Tyrese Haliburton made a promise after Game 3, and he delivered. He showed that even in the heat of the playoffs, he’s not just a rising star — he’s the kind of player who can carry a team when it matters most.
And now, with the Finals within reach, the Pacers are dreaming big — and playing even bigger.
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