Tyrese Haliburton’s triple-double sparks Pacers, Indiana runs previous New York to 3-1 sequence lead

It was one of many key questions heading into the sequence: May the Knicks’ protection gradual the uptempo Pacers’ offense sufficient to present themselves an opportunity? By way of the primary three video games, Indiana had a 119.3 offensive ranking, barely higher than their top-five common season quantity, which had them up 2-1 within the sequence.

In a crucial Recreation 4, the Pacers’ offense discovered a brand new gear, and their offensive ranking jumped to 126.2, due to a masterclass 32-point triple-double from Tyrese Haliburton — with zero turnovers — in entrance of his father, who was again within the constructing.

New York couldn’t sustain.

Regardless of a robust offensive sport themselves, Indiana’s offensive outburst sparked a Recreation 4 win, 130-121, and Indiana now has a commanding 3-1 lead within the sequence. Recreation 5 — should win for the Knicks to remain alive — is Thursday night time in Madison Sq. Backyard.

Recreation 4 was performed on the Pacers’ tempo from the opening tip. The Knicks’ new beginning 5 — that includes two bigs with Karl-Anthony Cities and Mitchell Robinson — was not fast sufficient to maintain up with an aggressive Pacers workforce operating on all the pieces, miss or make. The Pacers had a 159.3 offensive ranking within the first quarter and led by 8 after one. The Knicks made a comeback, utilizing a 9-2 run within the second quarter with the bench in and Brunson resting, and tied the sport at 51-51. New York slowed the sport down within the second with that bench lineup.

Nonetheless, within the fourth quarter, with the two-bigs lineup getting run out of the constructing and the sport on the road, Thibodeau leaned again into his former beginning lineup — enjoying Josh Hart however not Mitchell Robinson — and whereas that lineup was +5 for the sport it couldn’t shut the hole on the finish. The Knicks once more seemed worn down by the Pacers’ tempo of play.

“Simply the hustle, making defensive transition, getting extra continuity into the offense,” Thibodeau mentioned of why he leaned into Hart within the fourth, moderately than going with the bench group that has performed nicely the previous two video games.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 factors with 5 assists, whereas Karl-Anthony Cities added 24 and OG Anunoby 22.

Cities injured his knee within the ultimate minutes in a collision with Aaron Nesmith (the place Myles Turner was referred to as for the foul following a assessment for shoving Cities into Nesmith). This is similar knee he had meniscus surgical procedure on in 2024 and he was limping and flexing that knee the remainder of the sport. Nonetheless, he stayed within the sport and mentioned he could be good to go in Recreation 5.

Haliburton acquired extra assist with Pascal Siakam including 30 factors and Aaron Nesmith including 16.

“He stole plenty of my rebounds,” Siakam joked about Haliburton. “He was wonderful… I simply love the way in which he performed tonight, his power.”
The Knicks now should win three straight video games to advance to the NBA Finals.

“I’ve by no means recognized this workforce to give up,” Hart mentioned. “That’s not the character of the blokes now we have within the locker room.”
Greater than not quitting, the Knicks must decelerate the tempo of the sport — and supply Brunson and Cities with constant assist — to have an opportunity at these wins.