Pacers' Haliburton matches rare playoff feat with epic first quarter

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts after shooting a three-point basket during the second quarter against the New York Knicks of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton matches rare playoff feat with epic first quarter

By Jalyn Smoot | Last updated May 27, 2025 10:31 PM ET

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton came out of the gates firing in Game 4, pouring in 15 points in a near-flawless first quarter.

During the opening frame, Haliburton drained all three of his three-point attempts and was perfect in his four trips to the free throw stripe.

The 6-foot-5 guard finished the first quarter with 15 points, five rebounds and six assists, becoming the second player in the play-by-play era (1998) to have 15-plus points, five-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a single playoff quarter.

The other is all-time leading scorer LeBron James.

HISTORY FOR HALIBURTON IN THE 1Q

He's the 2nd player in the play-by-play era (1998) to have 15+ PTS, 5+ REB, & 5+ AST in a single playoff quarter!

The other?

LeBron James pic.twitter.com/j3HT3HBMbp
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2025

According to Stathead, that's the first 15-5-5 quarter with no turnovers in NBA playoff history.

Though he was unceremoniously voted as "the league's most overrated player" by an anonymous panel of his peers, according to The Athletic, Haliburton has been nothing short of spectacular in the playoffs.

The ONLY players to record 20+ PTS, 10+ AST, & 5+ REB in a single half in the playoffs (since 1998):

▪️ Russell Westbrook
▪️ Tyrese Haliburton, tonight

ELITE. COMPANY. https://t.co/8qBeHADyQ6 pic.twitter.com/CSYyhDvNW3
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2025

His late-game heroics have been a common theme in the playoffs, dispelling rumors that he isn't worthy of his superstar billing.

Plus, his work as a floor general has the up-tempo Pacers on the verge of their first Finals appearance since 2000.

In Game 4, Haliburton was responsible for 60 of the Pacers' 102 points through three quarters. His four games with 20-plus points and 10-plus assists are the most by any player this postseason.

Jalyn Smoot

Jalyn Smoot is a University of North Texas graduate passionate about writing, sports, and film. Throughout his near decade-long career as a freelance reporter, he has been featured on Bleacher Report, Major League Baseball, Apple News, Fox Sports, and NewsBreak.

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