Tyrese Haliburton Leads Indiana Pacers to Victory in NBA In-Season Tournament
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers showcased their dominance in a thrilling 122-112 win over the Boston Celtics, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
Haliburton’s Historic Performance
In this game, Haliburton achieved his first career triple-double, recording an impressive stat line of 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. The 23-year-old All-Star displayed his clutch abilities with a crucial 4-point play, including an and-1 after sinking a 3-pointer with just 1:33 remaining on the clock. This pivotal moment propelled the Pacers to victory.
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Pacers’ Determination to Win
Haliburton expressed the team’s unwavering belief in their ability to win the tournament. He acknowledged that Monday’s game was the most significant of his career and emphasized the Pacers’ hunger for success. “We’re a young, hungry group, and we want to win every night. We’re excited to be here, but we’re not complacent. We want to win,” Haliburton stated.
Next Challenge: Milwaukee Bucks or New York Knicks
As the second seed in the tournament, Indiana will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the fourth-seeded New York Knicks. The game is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Las Vegas. Despite being the betting favorites, the Celtics, who lead the Eastern Conference, fell short in the tournament and finished as the third seed with a 3-1 record in group play. In contrast, the Pacers remained undefeated with a perfect 4-0 record.
Notable Performances by Celtics Stars
Although the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 30 points, with Tatum leading the team with 32 points and Brown contributing 30, their efforts were not enough to overcome Indiana’s late surge.
TYRESE HALIBURTON FIRST CAREER TRIPLE-DOUBLE
19 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
Celtics/Pacers on TNT
Winner advances to Knockout Rounds Semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday pic.twitter.com/FcrVdW0d0n— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2023
GOODNESS, TYRESE HALIBURTON
CLUTCH TRIPLE. AND-ONE
Celtics/Pacers on TNT
Winner advances to Knockout Rounds Semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday pic.twitter.com/f9K9LzQjpJ— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2023
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)