@tyresehaliburton Drops His 3rd Career 20+ PT, 10+ AST Playoff Game as the @pacers Win Game 1 on the Road! 😤

Tyrese Haliburton continues to prove he’s built for the big stage. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Indiana Pacers’ star point guard delivered a clutch performance, recording his third career playoff game with 20+ points and 10+ assists. Haliburton’s masterclass helped the Pacers secure a gritty 108-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home floor, stealing momentum and home-court advantage to kick off the series.

From the opening tip, Haliburton looked locked in. He controlled the pace, read the defense flawlessly, and delivered one highlight-reel pass after another. By the end of the night, his stat line read 24 points, 11 assists, and just 2 turnovers—a model of efficiency and composure. But it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out; it was the timing. Haliburton came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring or assisting on 14 of Indiana’s final 20 points.

“Ty was the engine tonight,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “When we needed a bucket, he got us organized. When we needed a spark, he provided it. That’s what leaders do in the playoffs.”

And Haliburton is quickly cementing his status as one of the league’s brightest young leaders. At just 24 years old, he’s already playing with the calm and vision of a seasoned veteran. His third playoff performance with 20+ points and 10+ assists puts him in elite company, joining names like Chris Paul and Steph Curry as guards who have delivered in pressure moments early in their playoff careers.

The Pacers trailed by 10 in the third quarter before Haliburton orchestrated a comeback. He hit a deep three to cut the lead to five, then dished out back-to-back assists to Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith to tie the game heading into the fourth. From there, the Pacers tightened up defensively while Haliburton continued to pick apart Cleveland’s pick-and-roll coverage.

On the other side, the Cavaliers got 32 points from Donovan Mitchell, but the supporting cast struggled late. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen were largely ineffective down the stretch, and the Cavs couldn’t match Indiana’s pace or execution in the final minutes.

For Haliburton, the win was sweet—but far from satisfying. “We came here to do a job,” he said postgame. “We got Game 1, but we’re already thinking about Game 2. There’s no time to celebrate. This is the playoffs.”

His mature mindset and ability to deliver under pressure are major reasons why Indiana is now seen as a serious threat in the East. With Haliburton leading the charge, the Pacers are playing fearless, fast-paced basketball—and opponents are taking notice.

As Game 2 approaches, one thing is certain: Tyrese Haliburton is no longer just a rising star. He’s a playoff problem. 😤

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