Tyrese Haliburton Sends Bold Warning Before Pacers-Knicks Game 6
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers blew their first chance at closing out the New York Knicks on Thursday night. From start to finish, the Knicks made it clear that they were not going to be beaten at Madison Square Garden, winning the game by a final score of 111-94.
It was an embarrassing showing for the Pacers, who are just one win away from punching a ticket to the NBA Finals. Now, the series will shift back to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Saturday night.
Indiana will be facing much more pressure on Saturday than they have all series. While they have a 3-2 series lead, a loss in Game 6 would mean heading back to New York for a winner-take-all Game 7. If that scenario happens, the Pacers would be one loss away from becoming just the 14th team to blow a 3-1 series lead.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse...
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More
Photo byWhile there are definite reasons for Indiana fans to be nervous, Haliburton is motivated to make sure the Pacers do not drop Game 6 at home.
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Following the blowout loss to the Knicks in Game 5, the star point guard spoke out with a strong warning.
"Put it on me. I'll be better in Game 6," Haliburton said.
In the Game 5 loss, Haliburton was a complete no-show. He scored eight points on 2-for-7 shooting to go along with six assists, two rebounds, and two steals. The entire starting lineup combined to score just 37 points all game long.
Bennedict Mathurin was one of the only bright spots for the Pacers. He came off the bench to score 23 points.
As for New York, Jalen Brunson came to play. He showed what a superstar does for his team in the playoffs, scoring 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting to go along with five assists and five rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had a big game as well with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
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Josh Hart came off the bench for a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds as well.
Now, the stage has been set for Game 6. For Haliburton and Indiana, it's as close to a must-win game as a team up 3-2 can get. Heading back to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7 is a nightmare scenario for the Pacers.
In order to win Game 6 and head on to the NBA Finals, Indiana needs Haliburton to figure out his inconsistency. He has made the promise to do just that, but now he'll need to prove it on the court.
For more Indiana Pacers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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