Haliburton’s Historic Night Lights Up Indiana’s Playoff Run
Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t just good in Game 4 against the Knicks—he was record-breaking. As the Indiana Pacers outpaced New York 130-121 in a must-watch Eastern Conference Finals duel, Haliburton pulled off something never seen before: 32 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists, and not a single turnover. It’s not just a nice stat line, it’s NBA Playoff history. The only other player who’s been in the ballpark? Magic Johnson.
Think about what that means. Magic is a legend—synonymous with unselfish play, vision, flash, and big-game heroics. For anyone, let alone someone in their early twenties, to match up with those numbers when the pressure is on, tells you a lot about Haliburton’s rising stardom. Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas even drew the comparison directly, saying Haliburton’s ability to make his team better and control big moments is ‘Magic-like.’ He’s not just running the show—he is the headline act.
Pacers on the Verge of the NBA Finals
Behind Haliburton’s brilliance, Indiana now leads the series 3-1, needing just one more win to clinch their first NBA Finals slot since 2000. The energy in the building was off the charts, and the Pacers played like a team that knows history is within reach. For a franchise that’s often overshadowed in the Eastern Conference, this surge comes as a shockwave.
It wasn’t just the Haliburton show, either. Obi Toppin brought electricity off the bench, making clutch baskets just when the Knicks tried to claw their way back. The Pacers’ offense kept finding an extra gear, with crisp passing and relentless attacking in transition. New York’s defense looked gassed and out-matched, especially when Indiana pushed the tempo. The Knicks, lacking answers on defense, often got caught chasing cutters and leaving open shooters as the Pacers piled on.
One big question hangs over the Knicks: can they slow down this Pacers attack before Indiana slams the door on their season? New York also faces injury woes, with Karl-Anthony Towns’ status up in the air after a painful knee issue. Every Knicks fan knows it: Game 5 isn’t just another night at the Garden—it’s do or die.
Off the court, the Haliburton buzz has hit a fever pitch. Debate rages among analysts. Is he a true ‘superstar’ already? Stephen A. Smith tried to pour cold water on the hype, saying Haliburton needs to show this level night after night, postseason after postseason. But for most watching Game 4, the eye test was enough—Haliburton was the best player on the court, with the moment not too big for him.
If Haliburton can do it again in Game 5, he’ll have the chance to etch his name even deeper into the record books—and give the Pacers a ticket to the Finals, something the fan base has wanted for over two decades.