Indiana Pacers’ Stunning Playoff Run: 5 Must-Know Storylines Driving the NBA Buzz

The Indiana Pacers are one win away from rewriting franchise history after Tuesday night’s 130-121 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. Powered by a dazzling 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double from All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, Rick Carlisle’s up-tempo squad seized a commanding 3-1 series lead and can clinch the conference crown on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Haliburton’s Historic Night • First Pacer with a 30-point playoff triple-double since Mark Jackson in 2000 • Scored or assisted on 71 of Indiana’s 130 points, repeatedly shredding New York’s drop coverage • Shot 6-for-11 from three while committing just two turnovers Myles Turner added 24 points, 10 boards and a pair of emphatic fourth-quarter blocks, anchoring a defense that limited Jalen Brunson to 9-for-23 shooting. Sixth-man Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 18 off the bench, including a back-breaking corner three with 2:19 remaining that pushed the margin to double digits. Key Numbers Driving the Pacers’ Surge • Fast-break points: IND 27, NYK 9 – Indiana’s league-leading pace is translating to easy playoff offense. • Points in the paint: IND 66, NYK 44 – relentless dribble-penetration softened New York’s interior. • Series three-point shooting: IND 41.8 %, NYK 32.5 % – floor spacing is tilting matchups in Indiana’s favor. What’s at Stake in Game 5 A victory would send the Pacers to their first NBA Finals since the Reggie Miller era in 2000 and mark Carlisle’s second Finals appearance as Indiana’s head coach. Conversely, a Knicks win would shift momentum back to Indianapolis for Game 6. Expect New York to adjust by trapping Haliburton and testing Indiana’s secondary creators, while the Pacers will hunt early offense to quiet a hostile Garden crowd. Trending Storylines to Watch • Haliburton’s ascent from All-Star to potential Finals MVP candidate • Turner’s rim protection versus Julius Randle’s post-ups • Indiana’s bench production led by Mathurin and Obi Toppin against a thinning Knicks rotation • Historical context: the Pacers are 11-0 all-time when leading a best-of-seven series 3-1 Fan Buzz and Ticket Surge Secondary-market prices for a potential Game 6 in Indianapolis have already doubled, reflecting a city eager to host its first Finals contest in a quarter-century. Social media engagement around “Indiana Pacers,” “Haliburton triple-double,” and “Game 5 at MSG” spiked overnight as national viewers tuned in to the NBA’s highest-scoring postseason team. Bottom Line If Haliburton maintains his blistering pace and the Pacers keep winning the transition battle, Indiana’s long-awaited return to the NBA’s biggest stage could be sealed within 48 hours. All eyes now turn to Manhattan, where the Pacers look to finish the job and punch their ticket to June basketball.