Tyrese Haliburton put on a shooting clinic Monday night, draining a season-high nine three-pointers en route to 34 points and 13 assists, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 114-100 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans.
Haliburton’s leadership, particularly during a clutch fourth-quarter stretch, secured the win as Indiana improved its position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Haliburton’s three-pointer with 3:06 left broke a 104-104 tie and ignited a decisive run for the Pacers. Moments later, he added a layup and set up Bennedict Mathurin for a crowd-pleasing alley-oop dunk, sealing Indiana’s second consecutive win in their four-game homestand.
Haliburton Steals the Spotlight
With 73 points in his last three games, Haliburton is hitting his stride offensively. His ability to knock down shots from deep—combined with his court vision—kept the Pacers in control, even during moments of resistance from New Orleans. Monday night’s performance marked his best three-game scoring stretch of the season, underscoring his growing importance to Indiana’s success.
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Turner and Mathurin Step Up
Myles Turner complemented Haliburton’s heroics with a critical 17-point performance, including a seven-point burst in the fourth quarter that shifted momentum back to Indiana. Turner’s inside presence and timely buckets helped neutralize New Orleans’ runs. Meanwhile, Mathurin provided energy off the bench, highlighted by his late-game alley-oop dunk off Haliburton’s assist.
Pelicans’ Struggles Continue
The Pelicans dropped their fifth straight game, playing without four key starters: Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray, and Zion Williamson. Despite their depleted roster, Trey Murphy III tied his season high with 24 points, and CJ McCollum added 23 in his return after nearly a month away.
Elfrid Payton turned heads with a career-high 21 assists, the most in an NBA game this season, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Indiana’s firepower.
Key Moments and Takeaways
New Orleans fought to stay in the game, keeping the score tied at 104 late in the fourth. However, Haliburton’s quick five-point burst and subsequent setup for Mathurin’s dunk shifted the momentum for good. The Pelicans struggled to recover from that flurry, highlighting their difficulty closing out games during this losing streak.
For Indiana, the victory demonstrated resilience despite missing key contributors like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith. The Pacers’ depth and Haliburton’s leadership have allowed them to stay competitive even with a less-than-healthy roster.
Star Power and Fan Moments
The game wasn’t just about the action on the court. WNBA star Caitlin Clark was in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, drawing cheers from fans, including young girls donning her Indiana Fever and Iowa jerseys. Her presence added excitement to an already energized atmosphere.
What’s Next
The Pelicans (now 6-11) will look to halt their losing streak as they return home to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Pacers (9-11) aim to build momentum when they host the Portland Trail Blazers, seeking to climb closer to .500 in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
With Haliburton in peak form, Indiana is showing signs of becoming a serious contender as the season progresses. For New Orleans, getting their stars back on the court remains a top priority.