Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton applauds during the team’s NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Grace Hollars/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
INDIANAPOLIS— Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points and tied a franchise record with 23 assists, becoming only the third player in NBA history with consecutive 20-20 games in those categories, and the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 140-126 on Saturday night.
Haliburton, who picked up his 23rd on a pass to Andrew Nembhard with 1:05 remaining, joined Hall of Famers Magic Johnson (Dec. 18-19, 1984) and John Stockton (March 1 and March 3, 1990) as the only players with consecutive outings of at least 20 points and 20 assists. Jamaal Tinsley set the Indiana mark with 23 against Washington on Nov. 22, 2001.
“I didn’t know 23 was the franchise record or otherwise I would have hunted to get 24,” Haliburton said with a laugh. “Any time your name is brought up with legends of the game, it’s awesome.”
Haliburton has 43 assists and two turnovers in the last two games, raising his NBA-leading assist average to 12.8.
“His offensive level is beyond elite,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s put a lot of work in the last two summers on reads, on being able to create rim pressure and to increase his range, and so teams are in a real bind.”
Indiana won its third in a row to improve to 17-14. The Pacers shot 60% from the field and made 23 3-pointers to tie the team record. Myles Turner had 28 points and eight rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith scored 25 points.
“Assists don’t happen without guys making shots,” Haliburton said. “We’re doing that at a high clip right now.”
Pacers history 🙌
Tyrese Haliburton hugs his parents after becoming only the third NBA player ever to record back-to-back 20-PT, 20-AST games.
He now has the most 20 AST games in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/BE53Qa3Z9c
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2023
The Knicks were undermanned in their third straight loss after trading RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to Toronto on Saturday in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
“(Anunoby) can really defend,” Knicks forward Julius Randle said. “He can shoot. Big, long. He’ll be really good for us. RJ, he’s like a little brother to me. We’ve been through ups and downs year after year together. It’s tough. Quick is like a little brother, too. I think they’re going to be great for a long time, and I’ll always be a fan from a distance.”
Donte DiVincenzo scored a career-high 38 points for the Knicks, who shot 47%. Jalen Brunson and Randle added 28 apiece. Already playing without starting center Mitchell Robinson, sidelined due to left ankle surgery, the trade left New York using an eight-man rotation until the final minute.
Starting shooting guard Bruce Brown (bone bruise in right knee) sat out for Indiana. The Pacers led 32-27 at the end of the first quarter and 64-62 at halftime in the first of three scheduled meetings between the teams this season.
The Pacers gained some breathing room in the third quarter. Haliburton’s layup with 4:23 left pushed them ahead 92-81, the first double-figure edge for either side. Indiana eventually went up by 16 before settling for a 105-92 edge entering the final period.
“First half we hung in there pretty good,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We scored plenty, but we got to play defense. The third quarter they got the cushion on us. They’re a heck of an offensive team. (Haliburton) is very unselfish.”
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UP NEXT
Knicks: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday afternoon.
Pacers: Visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
