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SOURCE SPORTS: Jaylen Brown Leads Celtics to Game 2 Victory, Extends Series Lead to 2-0

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Jaylen Brown Leads Celtics to Game 2 Victory, Extends Series Lead to 2-0

Two days after a thrilling last-second comeback in Game 1, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics dominated Game 2, securing a 126-110 victory and a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals as the series shifts to Indianapolis.

Brown matched his playoff career-high with 40 points, spearheading Boston’s offensive charge. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each contributed 23 points, with Tatum scoring 11 in the decisive fourth quarter and White sinking four three-pointers. Jrue Holiday added a double-double with 15 points and ten assists, ensuring a well-rounded team performance.

Tatum’s scoring in this playoff run has been remarkable, marking his fifth playoff with over 300 points. In reaching this milestone, he joins Celtics legends Larry Bird (six times), Kevin McHale, Sam Jones, and John Havlicek (five times each). Brown is just three points shy of joining this elite group.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 10 points for the Pacers and provided eight assists before exiting the game with 3:44 left in the third quarter due to injury.

The series moves to Indianapolis, where the Pacers will host Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. The Pacers boast a perfect 6-0 record at home this postseason, while the Celtics remain unbeaten on the road with a 4-0 record.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jaylen Brown Forces OT, Jayson Tatum Seals Victory for Celtics in Thrilling Game 1

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Jaylen Brown Forces OT, Jayson Tatum Seals Victory for Celtics in Thrilling Game 1

Jaylen Brown’s clutch performance pushed the Boston Celtics into overtime, where Jayson Tatum took over to secure a 133-128 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Tatum scored 10 of his game-high 36 points in the extra frame, while Jrue Holiday added 28 points and Brown contributed 26. This marked the first time in Celtics history that three players scored 25+ points in an ECF game.

Indiana had a chance to win in regulation, but Tyrese Haliburton’s 27-foot fadeaway missed the mark. Haliburton, who had already nailed a 35-footer at the half and a 28-foot banked three at the third-quarter buzzer, couldn’t replicate his earlier heroics. Despite the miss, he finished with 25 points and ten assists.

The Pacers mounted an impressive rally, erasing a 13-point deficit with 3:23 left in the third quarter. Haliburton’s banked three capped a 14-2 run, giving Indy momentum as they took the lead early in the fourth and held a five-point advantage late. Pascal Siakam added 24 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. In comparison, Myles Turner had 23 points and ten rebounds, making it only the third time in the Pacers’ playoff history that three players recorded double-doubles.

After a Game 7 win in New York, Indiana sought consecutive road victories. Haliburton joined Trae Young and Jrue Holiday as the only players with 25+ points and 10+ assists in their conference finals debut since 2021.

Game 2 is set for Thursday, with the Celtics aiming to build on their momentum.

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Fat Joe Offers Silver Lining to Knicks Playoff Loss: ‘Gotta Lose to Get That Experience’

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If you watched game 7 of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers series, you probably spotted Fat Joe sitting courtside by Knicks bench.

If you watched game 7 of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers series, you probably spotted Fat Joe sitting courtside by Knicks bench. The Knicks took the L, ending their season, but Joe is proud of what they brought to the season.

“I’m proud of my team. So proud of them. Unfortunately, you gotta lose to win,” Fat Joe said. “Like we saw with OKC and we saw with all these other young teams, for some reason, they gotta lose to get that experience, to get that final instinct so they could win.”

You can hear all of Fat Joe’s commentary below.

In a decisive Game 7 against a historic rival, the Indiana Pacers delivered one of the greatest playoff performances ever to secure their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. Facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers triumphed 130-109 on Sunday, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 26 points.

The Pacers, who boasted the NBA’s top offense during the regular season, set a playoff record by shooting 67.1% from the field. Their 53 field goals matched the 1969 Knicks for the second-most in Game 7 history.

All five of Indiana’s starters scored 15+ points and shot over 50%, a Game 7 feat last achieved in 1971 and only the seventh occurrence in playoff history. The Pacers exploded with a 70-point first half on 76.3% shooting, joining the 2014 Clippers as the only teams to score at least 70 points in a Game 7 half since 1998.

Haliburton’s postseason tally of 200+ points and 100+ assists made him the first Pacer to achieve this, and only the third Pacer with 100+ assists in a single postseason, following Mark Jackson and Haywoode Workman.

TJ McConnell contributed significantly with 12 points and 7 assists, earning a +21 rating off the bench, a rare achievement in Game 7 history.

Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks fell short. Donte DiVincenzo set a Knicks playoff record with nine 3-pointers and scored a career playoff-high 39 points. However, injuries plagued New York: Jalen Brunson’s broken hand in the third quarter, OG Anunoby’s brief appearance due to a hamstring injury, and Josh Hart’s abdomen issue were too much to overcome.

The post Fat Joe Offers Silver Lining to Knicks Playoff Loss: ‘Gotta Lose to Get That Experience’ first appeared on The Source.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Pacers Beat Knicks in Game 7 to Make First Conference Finals SInce 2014

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In a decisive Game 7 against a historic rival, the Indiana Pacers delivered one of the greatest playoff performances ever to secure their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. Facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers triumphed 130-109 on Sunday, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 26 points.

The Pacers, who boasted the NBA’s top offense during the regular season, set a playoff record by shooting 67.1% from the field. Their 53 field goals matched the 1969 Knicks for the second-most in Game 7 history.

All five of Indiana’s starters scored 15+ points and shot over 50%, a Game 7 feat last achieved in 1971 and only the seventh occurrence in playoff history. The Pacers exploded with a 70-point first half on 76.3% shooting, joining the 2014 Clippers as the only teams to score at least 70 points in a Game 7 half since 1998.

Haliburton’s postseason tally of 200+ points and 100+ assists made him the first Pacer to achieve this, and only the third Pacer with 100+ assists in a single postseason, following Mark Jackson and Haywoode Workman.

TJ McConnell contributed significantly with 12 points and 7 assists, earning a +21 rating off the bench, a rare achievement in Game 7 history.

Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks fell short. Donte DiVincenzo set a Knicks playoff record with nine 3-pointers and scored a career playoff-high 39 points. However, injuries plagued New York: Jalen Brunson’s broken hand in the third quarter, OG Anunoby’s brief appearance due to a hamstring injury, and Josh Hart’s abdomen issue were too much to overcome.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jalen Brunson’s 44 Points Propel Knicks to 121-91 Victory Over Pacers, Taking 3-2 Series Lead

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Jalen Brunson 44 Points Propel Knicks to 121-91 Victory Over Pacers

Jalen Brunson scored 44 points and added seven assists to lead the New York Knicks to a decisive 121-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers, breaking the 2-2 series tie and bringing the Knicks within one game of their first Conference Finals appearance since 2000.

Brunson became the fourth player in NBA history to record at least five games with 40+ points and 5+ assists in a single postseason, joining legends Jerry West, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan. Brunson scored or assisted 62 of New York’s points, marking the fourth time he has been responsible for 60+ points in these playoffs—the most by any Knick since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98.

Brunson was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 10 points in the first quarter and 18 in the second, helping the Knicks build a 15-point lead. His 28 first-half points are the most in a half by a Knick in the play-by-play era.

After the Pacers’ dominant 32-point win in Game 4, the Knicks responded with their fourth-largest playoff victory in franchise history, finishing with a 30-point margin.

Isaiah Hartenstein was a force on the boards, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds, tying Charles Oakley’s record from May 1994. Hartenstein finished with 7 points and 17 rebounds, while Josh Hart recorded his fourth double-double of the series with 18 and 11 rebounds.

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points, but Tyrese Haliburton was limited to 13 points and five assists.

The series heads back to Indiana for Game 6 on Friday, where the Knicks will look to close out the series, and the Pacers will fight to stay alive.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Jalen Brunson’s 44 Points Propel Knicks to 121-91 Victory Over Pacers, Taking 3-2 Series Lead first appeared on The Source.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Haliburton Leads Pacers to Crucial Victory in Game 3

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Haliburton Leads Pacers to Crucial Victory in Game 3

With the Pacers facing adversity both in the series and in the final quarter, Tyrese Haliburton delivered a standout performance, scoring a Playoff career-high 35 points to propel Indiana to a pivotal win.

Haliburton’s remarkable performance, which included 23 points in the first half and crucial baskets down the stretch, guided the Pacers to one of their most significant victories in a decade.

Nailing the game home was a game-clinching three from Andrew Nembhard.

In a hard-fought contest, Indiana held off a strong showing from New York’s Donte DiVincenzo, who scored a Playoff career-high 35 points, and Jalen Brunson, who contributed 26 points. Haliburton’s stellar performance earned him a notable place in NBA Playoff history as the fifth player to achieve back-to-back games with 30+ points and 6+ three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Brunson also etched his name in the record books, becoming just the third player in NBA Playoff history to tally over 300 points and 70+ assists in his first nine games, joining legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Despite facing injuries, the Knicks received standout performances from DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Alec Burks. DiVincenzo’s 35-point outing marked a historic achievement for the Knicks, while Hart’s performance mirrored feats accomplished by Patrick Ewing in 1999.

With Game 4 on the horizon, set to tip off at 3:30 ET Sunday on ABC, both teams are poised for another intense battle as they continue their quest for Playoff success.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jalen Brunson’s Heroic Return Powers Knicks 2-0 Series Lead Against Pacers

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Jalen Brunson's Heroic Return Powers Knicks 2-0 Series Lead Against Pacers

In a stunning turnaround, Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to a remarkable comeback victory against the Indiana Pacers, securing a 130-121 win and a 2-0 series lead.

Brunson, who left the game in the first quarter due to a foot injury, returned with a vengeance in the second half, scoring 24 of his 29 points. Alongside Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby, who contributed 28 points each, the trio combined for an impressive 85 points.

Making history, this marked only the second time in Knicks Playoff history that three players scored 25+ points in a game, a feat last achieved in 1970.

Brunson’s resilience shone through as he became the first player since 1997-98 to score 20+ points in the second half or overtime in six consecutive Playoff games.

His return ignited a Knicks rally, with the team outscoring the Pacers 67-48 in the second half. Despite a stellar performance from Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who notched 34 points and seven 3-pointers, the Knicks’ determination proved unstoppable.

With chants of “MVP” echoing through Madison Square Garden, Brunson’s heroic comeback exemplified the spirit of the Knicks’ faithful.

The series now shifts to Indiana for Game 3, with the Knicks carrying momentum and a commanding lead.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jalen Brunson Explodes, Knicks Take Game 1 Over Pacers

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Jalen Brunson Explodes, Knicks Take Game 1 Over Pacers

In a sensational Game 1 showdown, Jalen Brunson spearheaded the New York Knicks to a thrilling 121-117 win over the Indiana Pacers. Brunson’s remarkable performance saw him tally 43 points, with an astounding 21 points scored in the final 10.5 minutes, nearly single-handedly outscoring the Pacers down the stretch.

Brunson’s incredible feat places him in elite company. He joins basketball legends Jerry West, Michael Jordan, and Bernard King as the only players with four consecutive playoff games in which he scores 40 or more points. Notably, Brunson achieved this milestone while also dishing out 5 or more assists in each game, showcasing his versatility on the court.

Assisting Brunson in the victory were his former college teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, collectively contributing 92 points to the Knicks’ tally. Hart played a crucial role in the game-ending surge, while DiVincenzo sealed the victory with a clutch 3-pointer.

Despite strong performances from Pacers starters Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, their bench dominated, outscoring the Knicks bench 46-3. Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, Isaiah Jackson, and Ben Sheppard combined for an impressive 46 points on efficient shooting, highlighting the depth of the Pacers’ roster.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Pacers Bench Ignites Series Win, Sends Bucks to Cancun

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Pacers Bench Ignites Series Win, Sends Bucks to Cancun

In a crucial Game 6 showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks, it was the Indiana Pacers’ bench unit that stole the spotlight and propelled them to victory. Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell emerged as the unlikely heroes, combining for a staggering 41 points off the bench to secure a resounding 120-98 win, clinching the series and advancing in the Playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Their remarkable performance etched their names in NBA history. They became only the third duo since 1970-71 to lead their team in a series-clinching win while coming off the bench. Joining esteemed company such as Dallas’ Jason Terry and JJ Barea and Toronto’s Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka, Toppin and McConnell showcased the depth and versatility of the Pacers’ roster.

Under the guidance of head coach Rick Carlisle, who boasts an impressive Playoff pedigree, the Pacers’ bench unit rose to the occasion when it mattered most. With contributions from Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Pacers delivered a commanding performance in front of their home fans.

For McConnell, the series-clinching win was a redemption story, rebounding from a tough Game 5 outing with the best Playoff performance of his career. His resilience and determination epitomized the Pacers’ grit and determination throughout the series.

As the Pacers celebrate their hard-earned victory and look ahead to the next challenge in the Playoffs, their depth and resilience serve as a testament to the unpredictable nature of postseason basketball. With contributions from every corner of their roster, the Pacers are poised to make a formidable run as they continue their Playoff journey.

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Fans Wish Tyrese Haliburton A Happy “Sixth Birthday”

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Fans have taken to social media to wish Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton a “happy sixth birthday” as Haliburton was born on February 29. Haliburton, 24, has technically had six birthdays. Typically he would celebrate his birthday on February 28. The Pacers, as well as Team USA and Iowa State, were amongst the accounts jumping on the trend of wishing Haliburton a happy birthday. Around 363,000 Americans celebrate their birthday on February 29. Do you know anyone who has a Leap Year birthday? Let us know in the comments.

Haliburton is having a standout season. He is averaging 21.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 11.6 assists a game. His assists mark is a league-leading mark at the time of writing. He is also a top-40 point-getter with his 21.4 scoring mark. The Pacers are, at the time of writing, are 34-26. However, that is only good enough for seventh in an incredibly stacked Eastern Conference. Haliburton recently appeared in the All-Star and gained a major new contributor in Pascal Siakam.

Read More: Damian Lillard Respects Tyrese Haliburton’s “Dame Time” Celebration

Tyrese Haliburton’s Pre-Game Fit Compared To Iconic Video Game Character

Elsewhere, fans continue to roast Haliburton’s pre-game fits. The latest target of the internet’s mockery was Haliburton’s bulky knee-length silver coat, complete with shoulder pads. Fans quickly compared the look to M. Bison, the iconic Street Fighter villain. Within minutes of the comparison being made, someone had recolored the photo of Haliburton to Bison’s iconic red, as well as adding the villain’s signature hat.

Of course, this is just the most recent time that Haliburton’s outfit has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. In January, he was pulled into the beef between Yasiin Bey and Drake after fans noted that a sidelined Haliburton looked a lot like the artist formerly known as Mos Def. “Mos Def hearing “Passionfruit” in Target,” one person wrote on X over a photo of Haliburton appearing to protest a call at a Pacers game. Haliburton has not publicly commented on the pre-fit roasting.

Read More: Joel Embiid & Tyrese Haliburton Are Proof The NBA Rest Rule Is Ruining Basketball

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