Kristina Roberts
The Indiana Pacers took a big step toward the NBA Finals with a thrilling 130-121 win over the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The star of the night was Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered one of the best performances of his career. With 32 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists, and zero turnovers, Haliburton showed just how important he is to his team. His incredible play helped the Pacers take a 3-1 lead in the series, putting them just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years.
After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t want to focus too much on Haliburton’s amazing stats. Instead, he emphasized how the entire team contributed to the victory. “I know Ty did some historic stat stuff tonight, and that’s great,” Carlisle said. “But it’s tough talking stats when it’s such a team thing right now.” Even though Haliburton had a record-breaking night, the coach wanted everyone to remember that basketball is a team sport, and every player played a part in the win.
Haliburton himself was quick to share the credit with his teammates. In his post-game interview, he used words like “we,” “our,” and “as a group” over and over again. He talked about how much he just wants to win and help his team succeed. “It’s about winning,” he said. “I just want to impact winning.” He praised his teammate Bennedict Mathurin, who had a strong game off the bench with 20 points in just 13 minutes. Mathurin’s aggressive drives to the basket and ability to draw fouls helped the Pacers extend their lead at a crucial time.
The Pacers’ point guard also mentioned how important it was for the team to stay focused, even when the Knicks made tough shots. In Game 3, the Pacers let a big lead slip away, and Haliburton was determined not to let that happen again. “They’ve got some guys who just make some hellacious shots, you know, and [Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson] did that last game, and I felt like those were kind of like taking the air out of us,” Haliburton said. “Today, we were just trying to keep focused on, ‘Who cares?’ You know, let’s get [the ball] in and let’s run, go right back at them. They’re gonna make shots. Let’s just keep going.”
Haliburton’s leadership and unselfishness were on full display throughout the game. He made sure his teammates were involved, setting them up for easy baskets while also scoring when the Pacers needed it most. His ability to control the game without turning the ball over even once was especially impressive. In the high-pressure environment of the playoffs, every possession matters, and Haliburton made sure the Pacers didn’t waste a single one.
The atmosphere in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric, with fans cheering loudly for their team. Even WWE superstar Triple H was in the crowd, adding to the excitement. Haliburton joked about how seeing Triple H was almost as exciting as having his dad in the arena. But more than anything, he was focused on the game and making sure his team came out on top.
With the Pacers now just one win away from the NBA Finals, the pressure is on the Knicks to respond in Game 5. But if Haliburton continues to play at this level, Indiana will be very hard to stop. His combination of scoring, passing, and leadership makes him one of the most exciting players in the league right now. Coach Carlisle summed it up perfectly when he said, “Tyrese is a great player, and people realize that. He happens to do some very impressive statistical things. But he’s well aware that all of this far transcends statistics.”
For the Pacers, this victory wasn’t just about one player’s amazing performance—it was about the whole team stepping up when it mattered most. But there’s no denying that Tyrese Haliburton was the driving force behind their success. If he keeps playing like this, the Pacers might just find themselves in the NBA Finals for the first time in decades. The Knicks will have to come up with something special to stop him and the Pacers in Game 5.
As the series shifts back to New York, all eyes will be on Haliburton to see if he can deliver another legendary performance. One thing is certain—he’s not just playing for himself. He’s playing for his team, his city, and the chance to make history. And if Game 4 was any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge. The Pacers are on the verge of something special, and Tyrese Haliburton is leading the way.
