Tyrese Haliburton on Tuesday night delivered his second career playoff triple-double to power Indiana over the New York Knicks 130-121, lifting the Pacers one win from the NBA Finals.
Haliburton scored 32 points, passed off 15 assists and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds while making no turnovers over 38 minutes, becoming the first player in NBA playoff history with 30-15-10 and no turnovers.
Indiana, who blew a 20-point lead in a Game 3 home loss, seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with the home triumph.
Photo: AFP
“I was just trying to be aggressive, trying to respond,” Haliburton said. “I felt like I let the team down in Game 3 so it was important to come out here and just make plays. Guys put me in position to make plays and play my game, and man, it’s a big win for us.”
Game 5 is set for today in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The Eastern Conference Finals winner would face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Finals starting on Thursday next week.
Haliburton’s father was in the arena after a month-long ban following an on-court incident with the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier in the playoffs.
“Hell yeah. I’m glad pop is in the building,” Haliburton said. “It makes it that much more sweet. Had a little bit to do with it.”
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