Indiana Pacers outlast Atlanta Hawks behind Tyrese Haliburton’s 37 to clinch In-Season Tournament quarterfinals spot after teams combine for 309 POINTS
- Pacers are 3-0 in Eastern Group A, securing a place in the last eight of the tournament
- Tyrese Haliburton could help Indiana reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020
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The Indiana Pacers became the first team in the East to reach the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament with a 157-152 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
The Pacers reached the knockout rounds of the tournament thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s 37 points and 16 assists.
The combined 309 points between the two teams make for the highest scoring game of the season in the NBA so far.
“It’s exciting,” Haliburton said Tuesday of advancing to the quarterfinals. “We’re the first team to cross the finish line and we’re ready to go.”
“We have a few more games before the quarter-finals, so we want to see what lies ahead first, but of course we want to win the championship,” Haliburton added. ‘It would be great.’
Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a victory over the Atlanta Hawks with 37 points
The Pacers will play in the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament on December 4 or 5
The Hawks led by as many as 20 points in the second quarter, but a 25-point swing allowed the Pacers to take a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The teams were tied at 152 in the final minute until a Buddy Hield made a jumper to break the deadlock with 52.1 seconds left.
Atlanta was led by Trae Young, who had 38 points, followed by Dejounte Murray with 28 and Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 26.
“Tyrese, you’re just out of accolades,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “Fearless, leader, great competitor – so happy for him.”
The Pacers haven’t made the postseason since 2020 and are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Tuesday’s good result is a good sign for the future.