Did Haliburton have the best playoff game ever by a Pacer?

GRACE SMITH/INDYSTAR - Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates on May 27 during 

Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 

The Pacers defeated the Knicks 130-121.

8 Jun 2025 - The Indianapolis Star

Nat Newell

Indianapolis Star USA TODAY NETWORK

Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton had a game for the ages May 27, scoring 32 points with 15 assists, 12 rebounds, four steals and no turnovers. Where does it rank among the best playoff performances by a Pacers? Here's a look.

Roger Brown, 5/23/1970 vs. Los Angeles

Brown closed out the 1970 ABA finals with 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting, including 7 of 12 from 3, with 11 rebounds and two turnovers in the 111-107 victory. In a Finals clinching win, this is the pick.

Reggie Miller, 5/7/1995 vs New York

How do you rank eight points in 9 seconds? It's the iconic moment for the Pacers' NBA history but Miller "only" scored 31 points on 7-of-18 shooting, including 3 of 7 from 3, though he did have five rebounds, four assists and four steals without a turnover in the 107-105 win over the Knicks. Putting it No. 2 for its historic context but not sure it belongs this high.

Freddie Lewis, 4/18/1974 vs. Utah

Lewis scored 40 points on 16-of-21 shooting, including 2 of 2 on 3s, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and three turnovers as the Pacers took a 118-107 victory over the Stars in the Western Division Finals.

Jermaine O'Neal, 4/27/2006 vs. New Jersey

O'Neal had 37 points on 12-of-15 shooting, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three turnovers in a first round game the Pacers won 107-95.

Reggie Miller, 6/1/1994 vs. New York

Another iconic Miller moment as he scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pacers to a 93-86 win over the Knicks. He finished with 39 points on 14-of-26 shooting, including 6 of 11 on 3s, with six assists and no turnovers. The Pacers would lose the next two games, however.

George McGinnis, 4/12/75 vs. San Antonio

McGinnis scored 51 points on 21-of-40 shooting, including 3 of 6 on 3s, with 17 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals but turned the ball over five times. This is No. 1 by Game Score, a formula created by John Hollinger, includes points, field goals and free throws, rebounds, steals, assists, blocks, fouls and turnovers to give a rough measure of how a player performed. (Several of the Roger Brown games don't have a game score since steals and blocks weren't kept.) We're dropping it because the Pacers lost, 110-109, but if you want to move it up, I'm not arguing.

Reggie Miller, 5/6/2000 vs. Philadelphia

This is Miller's best game by Game Score as he scored 40 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 7 of 10 on 3s, but with one rebounds, zero assists, two steals, one block and two turnovers in a 108-91 win over the Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Billy Knight, 4/22/1975 vs Denver

Knight was 18 of 22 for 44 points with six rebounds and three assists in a 131-124 Western Division Finals win over the Nuggets.

Paul George, 4/26/2016 vs. Toronto

George had 39 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 5 of 11 on 3s, eight rebounds, eight assists and two turnovers in a first round game the Pacers lost 102-99.