The Pacers are one win away from the second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, and it’s largely a product of a statistical masterpiece from their franchise player, Tyrese Haliburton.
In Indiana’s 130-121 Game 4 victory over the Knicks, Haliburton made history with a 32-point triple-double. His performance electrified Gainbridge Fieldhouse, inspired his teammates, and resulted in a few pages of the NBA’s record book being rewritten.
“I was just trying to be aggressive, trying to respond — I felt like I let the team down in Game 3,” Haliburton said of his performance. “It was important for me to come out here and make plays, and guys put me in position to make plays, I was just trying to play my game, and, man, it’s a big win for us.”
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Haliburton’s performance was just as big as the win, if not bigger. Here’s a look at what the Pacers maestro was able to create to bring the franchise within one win of snapping a 25-year Finals drought.
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Tyrese Haliburton triple-double, explained
Haliburton did it all in Indiana’s Game 4 win, threatening a triple-double in the first half with 20 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in 18 minutes. He continued his dominance in the final two quarters to turn in a historic performance with the following stat line:
- 32 points
- 11-23 (47.8%) FGs
- 5-12 (41.7%) 3Ps
- 5-6 (83.3%) FTs
- 12 rebounds
- 15 assists
- 4 steals
- 0 turnovers
The biggest qualifier that makes Haliburton’s performance stand out as one-of-a-kind is his ball control, as he did not turn the ball over once despite heavy usage in 38 minutes of action.
Haliburton is the first player to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and no turnovers in a playoff game since 1978, which is when turnovers were first tracked.
In Indiana’s Game 4 victory tonight, Tyrese Haliburton became the first player to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and no turnovers in a playoff game since the 1977-78 season (when turnovers were first tracked).
The only other players to reach those totals for… pic.twitter.com/1BX3EcpN5Z
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 28, 2025
Nikola Jokic and Oscar Robertson are the only other players to turn in 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and 15-plus assists in a playoff game.
Haliburton is just the second player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double with no turnovers in an NBA Playoff game. The other? Baron Davis, who did it in Game 3 of the 2002 Eastern Conference first round.
That Haliburton turned this performance in during the biggest game of his NBA career speaks volumes to where he is as a player.
Widen the lens to regular season and playoffs and Tuesday marked the 11th time in Haliburton’s career where he finished with 15-plus assists and no turnovers. The only two players who have more such games are John Stockton (14) and Chris Paul (13).
Haliburton’s right there, and he’s just 25 years old.
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