Tyrese Haliburton ties Indiana Pacers franchise single-game assist record with second-consecutive historic performance
John Stockton. Magic Johnson. Tyrese Haliburton.
That's officially the list of players that have finished consecutive NBA games with 20+ points and 20+ assists. Haliburton, who put up historic numbers on Thursday night in Chicago, followed up that performance with another fantastic game against the New York Knicks on Saturday. And it wasn't the only record he set.
Against the Bulls, the All-Star guard finished with 21 points, 20 assists, and zero turnovers. He was the second-ever player to have a 20-20 game without turning the ball over. Then, versus the Knicks, he repeated his magical stat line with 22 points, 23 assists, and just two turnovers. He once again guided his team to victory.
Every defense Haliburton saw, he was ready for. The Knicks kept sending two guys at him, albeit in varied coverages throughout the game. He got the ball out to his teammates. Haliburton made the right reads all night and kept Indiana's offense humming along.
"They were kind of in a soft blitz, then they mixed it up into a real blitz," Haliburton said. He's been working through those coverages all month. "Learning how to beat them the right way."
An assist-based record couldn't happen if Pacers players don't make shots. Haliburton's teammates made everything. Indiana tied their franchise record with 23 made three-point shots, and they made nearly 60% of their looks as a team.
The blue and gold were doing well in their paint-to-great offensive style. They would attack, kick the ball out, and nail a jumper. It was simple on the surface yet more complicated in the details. Haliburton made it all happen. He attacked soft spots and found the right players all night.
"He just keeps getting better and better and better," center Myles Turner said. "He's continued to add more and more to his game, his vision."
Haliburton had another record during the outing. His 23 assists tied Indiana's franchise record for assists in one game, which was previously held by Jamaal Tinsley.
Tinsley, as a rookie nonetheless, had 23 assists against the Washington Wizards in November of 2001. He added 19 points and had five turnovers that night, a seven-point Pacers win.
Haliburton, on his magical night, had 22 points and only coughed the ball up twice. It was one of the best floor general outings the Pacers franchise has ever seen. There have been three 20+ point, 20+ assist games in Pacers history, and Haliburton has two of them this week.
"I didn't know that 23 was the franchise record, otherwise I would have probably gone for 24," Haliburton joked of his assist total. He recognized his big assist total during the game when he looked up at the jumbotron and saw his numbers.
"Assists don't happen without guys making shots... guys have to make shots for me to get assists. We're doing that at a high clip," he added. He thought his team's ball movement in general was effective.
Haliburton has kept the Pacers rolling with three excellent games this week to ignite a win streak. The All-Star guard is averaging 25.3 points and 17.7 assists per game during those victories and will try to keep it up when the new year starts.
Indiana next plays against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. That night, Haliburton will try to become the first player ever to notch three-straight games with a 20-20 stat line.
- Tyrese Haliburton is working through increased attention and pressure from defenses for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers change starting lineup to get more consistent physicality and defense on the court. CLICK HERE.
- Jarace Walker showing important growth for Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Led by historic night from Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers take down New York Knicks for third-straight win. CLICK HERE.
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