Tyrese Haliburton leads Pacers past Knicks with historic triple double
Haliburton’s 32-point triple double without turnovers lifts Indiana over New York, puts Pacers one win from NBA Finals.
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| Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE |
By Randy Ahmad and Widya Putri
Tyrese Haliburton delivered a performance for the history books on Tuesday night, registering a flawless triple double to propel the Indiana Pacers to a 130-121 victory over the New York Knicks. With this win, the Pacers now hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals and are just one victory away from securing a trip to the NBA Finals for the first time in 24 years.
The Tyrese Haliburton triple double was not just a statistical marvel—it was an unprecedented feat. Scoring 32 points, dishing 15 assists, and pulling down 12 rebounds, all while playing 38 minutes without committing a single turnover, Haliburton became the first player in NBA playoff history to post a 30-15-10 stat line with zero turnovers.
“I was just trying to be aggressive, trying to respond,” Haliburton said after the game. “I felt like I let the team down in game three 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.”
Haliburton powers Indiana’s resurgence
Haliburton’s elite performance came at a crucial moment for the Pacers, who were looking to rebound after blowing a 20-point lead in their game-three loss. His early aggression set the tone for Indiana, scoring 15 points in the opening quarter alone as the Pacers jumped out to a 43-35 lead.
Beyond his scoring, Haliburton’s control of the offense and precision passing elevated Indiana’s game. The absence of turnovers underscored his composure and maturity on the court, earning praise from head coach Rick Carlisle.
“To not have any turnovers is pretty remarkable,” Carlisle said. “I know he takes great pride in it. That's a motivating factor.”
Haliburton also contributed four steals, shot 11-of-23 from the field, and drained five of his 12 three-point attempts. His efficient play lifted not only the scoreboard but also the confidence of his teammates in a high-stakes matchup.
Supporting cast steps up for Indiana
While the Tyrese Haliburton triple double stole the headlines, the Pacers received significant contributions from other key players. Pascal Siakam delivered another strong outing, finishing with 30 points and maintaining consistent offensive pressure.
Bennedict Mathurin was a difference-maker off the bench, adding 20 points and injecting much-needed energy into the second unit. Carlisle lauded Mathurin’s impact: “He was great. He gave us a huge lift.”
Indiana maintained a five-point lead at halftime, 69-64, and expanded it to 102-91 by the end of the third quarter. Although the Knicks made a late push in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 115-109, Indiana held firm. A clutch three-pointer by Obi Toppin with 46 seconds left sealed the win, giving the Pacers a 126-116 advantage and ultimately putting the game out of reach.
Knicks falter despite strong showing from Brunson
Jalen Brunson once again led the Knicks with 31 points, trying to keep New York afloat in a must-win scenario. However, the Knicks struggled with ball security, turning the ball over 17 times—an issue that cost them dearly.
“Our defense wasn't good enough. Our defense and turnovers probably hurt us,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said postgame. “The important thing is to reset. We're not playing the series. We're playing the game.”
New York saw several players step up offensively: Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds, O.G. Anunoby added 22 points, and Mikal Bridges chipped in 17. But the combined effort was not enough to overcome Indiana’s precision and poise.
Towns also suffered a left knee injury late in the game while defending Myles Turner but was able to return to action. Thibodeau noted the incident was being evaluated, while Towns brushed off concerns, focusing instead on the team’s loss.
Haliburton’s family moment adds emotional layer
Adding to the significance of the night was the presence of Haliburton’s father, back in the arena for the first time since serving a month-long ban. The elder Haliburton had been involved in a courtside altercation with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo during the previous playoff round.
“Hell yeah. I'm glad pop is in the building,” Haliburton said with a smile. “It makes it that much more sweet. Had a little bit to do with it.”
The emotional boost seemed to resonate, helping Haliburton dig deeper as he pushed the Pacers to the brink of an NBA Finals berth.
Looking ahead to game five
Game five of the Eastern Conference Finals is set for Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Haliburton acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic.
“I'm excited about it. It's going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “It's a tough environment to play in. We've got to be ready. Just one more game, take what we can from this and be ready for game five.”
If the Pacers can win one more, they will secure their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Awaiting them will be the Western Conference champions, either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 5.
A long-awaited opportunity for Indiana
Indiana’s last Finals run ended in defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers 24 years ago. The franchise has never captured an NBA championship, making the current run all the more meaningful for a passionate fan base that has waited decades for a return to the league’s biggest stage.
Haliburton’s leadership, showcased through his historic triple double, may be the missing piece to finally bring the Pacers their elusive title. With one win separating Indiana from basketball’s grandest spotlight, the energy in Indianapolis is reaching fever pitch.
As Haliburton continues to elevate his game when it matters most, he’s not just rewriting playoff records—he’s shaping a legacy.
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