Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, erasing a 14-point deficit with under three minutes remaining.
The Pacers leaned heavily on Aaron Nesmith in the fourth quarter, but it was Haliburton who sent the game into overtime with an incredible shot at the buzzer. He actually thought it was a game-winning 3-pointer when it first went in, which is why he did Reggie Miller’s famous choke gesture to the crowd at Madison Square Garden. After further review, it was ruled a two-point basket.
Haliburton and the Pacers eventually took care of the Knicks in overtime thanks to Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin. Both players stepped up when it mattered most.
“Well, I would like to not keep being in this situation,” Haliburton said. “But we’re just a group that has spent a lot of time with each other. … I think that just gives us all confidence in each other.
“I’ve seen people joke about us. We’re like a college team with how close we are and how we’ve been together. We’re all super young. But man, it’s special. I love playing with these guys.”
Following the Pacers’ win on Wednesday night, Haliburton shared a heartwarming moment with his girlfriend Jade Jones.
Haliburton and Jones have been dating for six years. They first met when they were students at Iowa State. She was part of the cheerleading squad when he was representing the Cyclones on the hardwood.
Jones, who has attended every playoff game for the Pacers, was at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. She shared a photo of them hugging on the court along with this caption: “I’m so proud of you.”
Jade Jones/IG.
Haliburton finished Game 1 with 31 points and 11 assists. He has truly stamped himself as a superstar this postseason.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals is set for Friday. Tipoff will be at 8 p.m. ET.
We’ll see if Haliburton catapults the Pacers to a 2-0 series lead.
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