Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers’ offence with 23 and 22 points, respectively, as their club defeated the New York Knicks 125-111 on Saturday in NBA play.
Pascal Siakam scored 19 points, and T.J. McConnell added 16, as Indiana shot 61% from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc. Aaron Nesmith and Isaiah Jackson also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. Haliburton emphasized the need of continuing such partnerships.
“I contribute, I do my part, but we have a lot of different guys who can help, and tonight was a total team effort,” Haliburton said. “We just want to keep building on that.”
Jalen Brunson returned from an ankle sprain and scored 39 points for the Knicks, making a huge impact despite the team’s loss.
“It was a game-time decision,” Brunson explained. “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.”
Alec Burks scored 22 points in his first game back with New York following a trade, while Bojan Bogdanovic, also acquired in the trade, contributed 11 points in his Knicks debut. The club was without numerous starters, including Julius Randle and OG Anunoby. They struggled to retain their momentum following a season-high nine-game winning streak, dropping three of their last four games.
“We’re short-handed, so we’re going to have to play a lot harder and tougher,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I’m disappointed in the result, but I’m not disappointed in our team.”
The game stayed close throughout the first half, with neither team pulling away by more than five points. However, the Pacers grabbed control with a six-point run before halftime and held on to their lead, which grew to nine points in the third quarter.
Haliburton’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter increased the Pacers’ advantage to nine points, paving the way for a strong fourth quarter in which Indiana’s lead grew to 22. Turner lauded the team’s performance, citing the extra edge and Haliburton’s specific contributions as crucial to their triumph.
“We played with a little more edge. Tyrese was being unique, and I left my mark on the game,” Turner explained. “It was an all-around team win, and we asserted ourselves more when it needed to be done.”
Both clubs return to action on Monday, with the Pacers visiting the Charlotte Hornets and the Knicks hosting the Houston Rockets.
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