Tyrese Haliburton Sets Franchise Record in Win Against Knicks

Indianapolis – Tyrese Haliburton, the All-Star point guard for the Pacers, delivered a record-setting performance against the Knicks on Saturday night. Motivated by Wally Szczerbiak’s year-old criticism, Haliburton scored 22 points and set a franchise record with 23 assists in a dominant 140-126 victory.

A Personal Vendetta

During the game, Haliburton made sure to call out Szczerbiak, who was seated courtside as the game analyst. This was in response to Szczerbiak’s previous comment calling Haliburton a “wannabe fake All-Star” during a broadcast last season. After the game, when asked about Szczerbiak, Haliburton deadpanned, “Who?”

Szczerbiak, realizing his mistake, admitted on air during the game that he was “dead wrong” and that it wasn’t his finest hour. He also personally apologized to Haliburton’s father after the game, who graciously accepted the apology.

Motivated to Prove Himself

Haliburton described his interaction with Szczerbiak as “extracurricular activity,” but acknowledged that it contributed to his motivation. He mentioned that the Knicks had beaten them last year and swept them in games they felt they should have won. Additionally, Haliburton got injured against the Knicks last year, adding to his desire to perform well against them.

Despite the personal vendetta, Haliburton emphasized that his focus was on playing basketball and having fun. He praised the Knicks as a strong team coached by a talented coach.

Record-Breaking Performance

Haliburton’s exceptional performance against the Knicks earned him a place in NBA history. He joined the ranks of Magic Johnson and John Stockton as the only players to record back-to-back games with at least 20 points and 20 assists.

The Pacers’ victory over the Knicks showcased Haliburton’s superstar status and silenced any doubts about his All-Star credentials. It was a memorable night for Haliburton and a reminder to never underestimate his abilities on the court.