Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton spearheaded the Indiana Pacers’ offense with 23 and 22 points, respectively, leading their team to a 125-111 win over the New York Knicks during Saturday’s NBA action.
Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points, while T.J. McConnell added 16, as Indiana showcased an impressive shooting performance, hitting 61% of their shots from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc. Aaron Nesmith and Isaiah Jackson also played key roles, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. Haliburton highlighted the team’s collective effort, emphasizing the importance of building on such teamwork.
“I contribute, I do what I can, but we have a lot of different guys who can contribute and tonight was a total team effort,” Haliburton said. “We just want to keep building on that.”
Jalen Brunson, back from an ankle sprain, dropped 39 points for the Knicks in his return, making a significant impact despite the team’s loss.
“It was a game-time decision,” Brunson said. “When I feel that I can do the things I do, making sure I can go out there and be who I am for as long as I am out there when I feel that type of confidence, that is when I know I’m ready to play.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks Updates
In his first game back with New York following a trade, Alec Burks scored 22 points, while Bojan Bogdanovic, also acquired in the trade, added 11 points in his Knicks debut. The team was missing several starters, including Julius Randle and OG Anunoby. They faced challenges maintaining their momentum after a season-high nine-game winning streak, losing three of their last four games.
“We’re short-handed, and we’re going to have to play a lot harder and a lot tougher,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I’m disappointed in the result, but I’m not disappointed in our team.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks Updates
The game remained closely contested in the first half, with neither team pulling away by more than five points. However, the Pacers took control with a six-point run before halftime and maintained their lead, extending it to nine points in the third quarter.
Haliburton’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter pushed the Pacers’ lead to nine, setting the stage for a dominant final quarter where Indiana’s lead ballooned to 22 points. Turner praised the team’s performance, especially noting the added edge and Haliburton’s special contributions as key to their victory.
“We played with a little more of an edge. Tyrese was being special, and I had my imprints on the game,” Turner said. “It was an all-around team win, and we asserted ourselves more when it needed to be done.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks Updates
Both teams are back in action on Monday, with the Pacers visiting the Charlotte Hornets and the Knicks facing off against the Houston Rockets.
