The quarter-finals of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament got off to an interesting start at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the Indiana Pacers saw off the Boston Celtics 122-112 to advance to the semifinals.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton put on a show for the home crowd with his first career triple-double performance of 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in 40 minutes of action. He shot 10/18 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc as Indiana improved to an 11-8 record.
Tyrese Haliburton’s first career triple-double.
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/wB6z3j9MKS
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 5, 2023
The Pacers were undefeated in the group phase, but they found themselves down seven at halftime to Boston. However, Haliburton took over the knockout tie, announcing himself in the grandest of manners as a superstar in his right, scoring or assisting on 24 out of 27 Pacers points to begin the second half.
The Pacers’ No. 0 completed a tiebreaking four-point play with 93 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to put Indiana ahead. He became the first player in franchise history with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists and zero turnovers.
Miles Turner got 17 points and 10 rebounds; Buddy Hield scored 21 points and shot four 3s; Bruce Brown got 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals; and Obi Toppin got 12 points and two blocks, as all five Indian starters finished in double figures.
Bennedict Mathurin supplied 16 points, 5 rebounds, and four 3-pointers off the bench. Aaron Nesmith added 14 points in a stellar team performance from the league’s best offensive team.
handled our business ????????#PacersWin pic.twitter.com/Xvmu3ZnNfx
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 5, 2023
Jayson Tatum, led Boston with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, Jaylen Bown got 30 points, 9 rebounds and two blocks; while Derrick White got 18 points and 8 assists as the Celtics get knocked out of the tournament and drop to 15-5 for the season.
punched our ticket to the In-Season Tournament Semifinals ???? pic.twitter.com/8yCfcdfZjK
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 5, 2023
The Pacers will face the winner of the matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks on Thursday in the East semi-finals at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
