Following a hard-fought Game 2 loss to the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton addressed concerns about officiating, emphasizing the need for self-improvement rather than blaming referees.

In a thrilling showdown, the Knicks secured a 130-121 victory over the Pacers, extending their lead to 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart spearheaded New York’s triumph, combining for 70 points.

Despite Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle’s critique of game officials, Haliburton, who scored 34 points, maintained a stance of accountability, acknowledging the Knicks’ superior performance.

“They outplayed us. Let’s not pretend like the refs are the reason we lost. We just got to be better,” Haliburton asserted during the post-game press conference.

With the series now shifting to Indiana, the Pacers face a pivotal moment as they aim to bounce back from consecutive defeats and turn the tide in their favor.