Tyrese Haliburton praised his team’s effort after the Indiana Pacers’ 130-121 victory against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The win gave Indiana a 3-1 series lead and brought them one step closer to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
Haliburton said the team adjusted their approach from the previous game, emphasizing a faster pace. “In the fourth quarter last game, we were a little bit more reactive than proactive,” he explained. “They got some guys who can just make some hellacious shots. KAT and JB did that last game, and I felt like those were kind of, like, taking the air out of us.” He added, “Today, we were just trying to keep focused on who cares. Let’s get it in and let’s run.”
The point guard finished with 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, four steals, and zero turnovers—an unprecedented stat line in the playoffs since turnovers started being tracked in 1977-78. Haliburton downplayed the historical significance, focusing instead on team success. “I’m just trying to play the right way, man. I just want to impact winning.”
Asked about his aggressive play, Haliburton admitted feeling jittery early but found his rhythm by settling down in half-court situations. “I felt like I let the team down in Game 3. Felt like I could have been so much better. So I felt like I responded the right way today.”
Bennedict Mathurin also received praise for his 20-point contribution off the bench. Haliburton noted, “He just settled in… He’s a guy that we really missed last year in the playoffs, that spark off the bench.”
Haliburton reflected on the emotional aspect of playing with his father present. “My dad is just fine. He lives just fine… I want to play well when he’s at my games. So with him being in the building, of course, I wanted to play well.”
The Pacers shot 51.1 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from three, with Pascal Siakam adding 30 points to support the team’s balanced offense. Obi Toppin’s late 3-pointer helped seal the game, pushing Indiana’s lead to double digits late in the fourth quarter.
New York’s Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points, but the team struggled to overcome an early deficit and defensive lapses.
With Game 5 scheduled for Thursday at Madison Square Garden, Haliburton stressed the need for focus. “They’re going to play as desperate as they can. They’re going to come out and throw a punch, and we just got to be able to respond.”
