Pacers Dominate Knicks with Haliburton's Triple-Double, Stand on Brink of NBA Finals

Haliburton Lights Up Game 4 with All-Around Brilliance

If you wanted a statement game, Tyrese Haliburton just delivered. The Indiana Pacers point guard put the Pacers on his back with a sparkling triple-double, powering his team to a 130-121 win over the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. From the opening tip, Indiana played like a team on a mission, hunting for their first NBA Finals appearance in over twenty years.

Haliburton's numbers jumped off the box score, but his presence was even more obvious on the court. He commanded the pace, hit big threes, darted into the lane for tough buckets, and dished clever passes nobody saw coming. He looked comfortable, confident, and in total control—a complete turnaround from the team's spotty play in their previous loss.

The Pacers came out firing, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and keeping the pressure on with relentless fast breaks. Any time the Knicks tried to cut into the gap, Haliburton reasserted himself, silencing Madison Square Garden with timely assists and unselfish play. The rest of the squad followed suit, making the Pacers' balanced attack impossible for New York to contain.

Nesmith Steps Up, Knicks Scramble for Answers

Aaron Nesmith may not make headlines like Haliburton, but his job on defense was just as crucial. He drew the assignment of shadowing Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' heartbeat. Nesmith hounded him all over the floor, turning his body into a wall on drives and contesting every shot. While Brunson still tallied points, he never managed to dictate the flow or string together the kind of scoring run that could rattle Indiana's confidence.

Beyond defense, Nesmith hit a couple of momentum-swinging three-pointers. Each make fired up the Indiana bench and kept the Knicks on their heels. Obi Toppin’s energy and Myles Turner’s steady inside presence made Indiana’s offense even tougher to solve.

For the Knicks, the game plan looked out of rhythm. They chased Indiana in transition all night, often slow to get back after missed shots. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo tried to spark life with tough buckets, but turnovers and missed assignments piled up. Even when New York managed to string together a run, Indiana seemed to always have an answer—usually with Haliburton at the center of the play.

The fast pace wore on the Knicks late, with Indiana continuing to push for easy baskets down the stretch. As the final buzzer sounded, you could sense the fatigue and frustration on the New York bench.

Now all eyes turn to Game 5 in New York. The Pacers need just one more win to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals—a place the city hasn't seen since Reggie Miller's era. For the Knicks, it’s do-or-die time in front of their home crowd. If Game 4 is any sign, Haliburton and the Pacers aren’t planning on letting their foot off the gas.