Tyrese Haliburton Leads Pacers to Game 4 Victory Over Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals
A Historic Performance in Game 4
In a pivotal Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton delivered a performance for the ages, propelling the Indiana Pacers to a 130–121 victory over the New York Knicks. This win gives the Pacers a 3–1 series lead, placing them one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
Haliburton's stat line was nothing short of historic: 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, five three-pointers, and zero turnovers. He became the first NBA player to record such a stat line in a playoff game, breaking records previously held by legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird .
Pacers Dominate Across the Board
The Pacers' victory was a team effort, with several players stepping up to support Haliburton. Pascal Siakam contributed 30 points, Bennedict Mathurin added 20 off the bench, Aaron Nesmith scored 16, and Myles Turner chipped in 13 before fouling out. The Pacers shot 51.1% from the field and 40.6% from beyond the arc, outscoring the Knicks 22–9 in fastbreak points .
Knicks Struggle to Keep Pace
Despite strong individual performances from Jalen Brunson (31 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 12 rebounds), and OG Anunoby (22 points), the Knicks' defense and turnovers were major issues. Coach Tom Thibodeau noted that the team's defensive lapses and 17 turnovers, including five by Josh Hart, were costly .
Game 4 Highlights
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Haliburton's Historic Triple-Double: Achieved a rare stat line with 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and zero turnovers.
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Team Contributions: Siakam, Mathurin, Nesmith, and Turner all provided significant scoring.
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Fastbreak Dominance: Pacers outscored the Knicks 22–9 in fastbreak points.
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Shooting Efficiency: Indiana shot 51.1% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.
Looking Ahead
With the Pacers leading the series 3–1, they are poised to close out the series in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks face elimination and will need to win three consecutive games to advance to the NBA Finals.
Game 4 Box Score
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Steals | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton | 32 | 15 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Pascal Siakam | 30 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 20 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Aaron Nesmith | 16 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Myles Turner | 13 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
Knicks' Key Performers
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Steals | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 31 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 24 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| OG Anunoby | 22 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Key Takeaways
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Haliburton's Leadership: His historic performance underscores his role as the Pacers' leader and a rising star in the NBA.
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Team Depth: Contributions from multiple players highlight the Pacers' depth and balanced offense.
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Knicks' Challenges: Defensive struggles and turnovers continue to hinder the Knicks' efforts in the series.
Conclusion
Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a defining moment for the Indiana Pacers and a testament to the rise of Tyrese Haliburton as one of the league’s premier young stars. His record-setting triple-double, combined with a well-rounded team performance, has placed the Pacers in firm control of the series. With a 3–1 lead, Indiana is now just one win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years.
On the other side, the New York Knicks find themselves on the brink of elimination. Despite valiant efforts from Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby, the team’s defensive breakdowns and turnover issues have proved costly. They now face the daunting task of winning three straight games, including two on the road, to keep their season alive.
