Tyrese Haliburton delivered a remarkable performance in Tuesday’s Game 4 against the New York Knicks, recording a historic turnover-free triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers secure a 130-121 victory. Despite handling the offense for 38 minutes, Haliburton did not commit a single turnover, standing out in a game where the Pacers collectively gave the ball away 11 times.
Indiana’s head coach Rick Carlisle highlighted Haliburton’s dominant display, suggesting it could inspire the creation of a new statistical category. He compared Haliburton to greats like Chris Paul and John Stockton, noting their low turnover rates during their careers and the pride Haliburton takes in protecting the ball.
“There will be a new statistical category perhaps named after him somewhere down the line. Him and Chris Paul, these guys, there aren’t a lot of guys. Stockton did not turn the ball over much back when he played. … I know he takes great pride in it and that’s a motivating factor.”
—Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers coach
Haliburton’s Record-Setting Performance Among NBA’s Finest
Following this game, Tyrese Haliburton has achieved three games with at least 30 points, 15 or more assists, and zero turnovers, marking the first time in NBA postseason history this feat has been accomplished. Comparatively, only two other players since 2020—James Harden and Nikola Jokić—have reached this milestone twice, while legends such as LeBron James, Chris Paul, and John Stockton had three such games before Haliburton’s era.
According to data from Sportradar, Haliburton reached his 11th game with 15 or more assists and no turnovers, drawing him closer to tying John Stockton’s all-time record. He is now just three games behind Stockton and two behind Chris Paul in this category. His last similar performance came on March 15 against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he posted 24 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, and no turnovers.
Turnover Battle Key to Pacers’ Success Against Knicks
Prior to Game 4, the Indiana Pacers held the upper hand over the New York Knicks in turnover margin, with 31 forced turnovers compared to the Knicks’ 43. Haliburton’s precision helped the Pacers capitalize on New York’s mistakes, turning their errors into a 66-24 advantage in points off turnovers.
The trend persisted in Game 4, as the Knicks committed 17 turnovers against the Pacers’ 11, and Indiana dominated the points off turnovers battle 20-9. Haliburton’s flawless performance was particularly damaging for New York, as he accounted for more than half (67) of the team’s 130 points, orchestrating the offense expertly and punishing the Knicks for their miscues.
more than half (67) of Indiana’s 130 points,
—Law Murray, The Athletic
Implications for Pacers’ Postseason Prospects
If the Knicks are unable to correct their turnover issues, the Pacers led by Tyrese Haliburton could be well-positioned to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Haliburton’s defensive discipline and offensive efficiency have become crucial assets in tight playoff battles, making him a key figure in Indiana’s pursuit of postseason success.