Pacers Set NBA Playoff Shooting Record, Defeat Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 to Reach Eastern Conference Finals

The Indiana Pacers, after an impressive offensive season, achieved a historic feat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tyrese Haliburton scored 26 points as the Pacers set an NBA playoff record by shooting 67.1% from the field, defeating the New York Knicks 130-109 on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a decade.

"We have a historic offense obviously, but this guy got things rolling and everybody kind of just followed suit," center Myles Turner said, referring to Haliburton.

The Pacers averaged 123.3 points per game during the regular season, the sixth highest in NBA history, and set a league record by scoring 140 points in 11 games. Their offensive prowess continued in the playoffs.

In the first half of Game 7, the Pacers shot 76.3%, making 29 of 38 shots. This was the highest shooting percentage in a postseason half since 1997, when detailed play-by-play records began. They led 70-55 at halftime and maintained their lead throughout the second half despite the Knicks' attempts to rally.

"I just told our team when you win a Game 7 in Madison Square Garden, you've made history," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.

The sixth-seeded Pacers will face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals starting Tuesday. Indiana last reached the conference finals in 2014, losing to the Miami Heat.

The Knicks, plagued by injuries, saw Jalen Brunson exit in the second half with a broken left hand. They had OG Anunoby back after missing four games with a strained left hamstring, but he played only five minutes.

Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard each scored 20 points, and Aaron Nesmith was perfect from the field, scoring 19 points on 8-of-8 shooting for the Pacers.

Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 39 points, making nine 3-pointers. The Knicks were aiming for their first conference finals appearance since 2000 but were hindered by the absences of Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic, in addition to losing Anunoby and Brunson.

"Knowing that this team gave its best effort all year long, I can live with the result," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It's disappointing, but in the end, there's only going to be one happy team. Twenty-nine teams will fall short. This team fought like crazy and there's no regret."

Brunson ended with 17 points and nine assists, shooting 6-for-17. Alec Burks contributed 26 points off the bench.

In the third Game 7 between the franchises—previously won by the Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals and by the Pacers in the 1995 East semifinals—the Pacers demonstrated their fast-paced style could succeed in the playoffs.

Indiana scored 39 points in the first quarter, the most in a Game 7 in the play-by-play era. They led 39-27 after the first quarter, shooting 76.2% from the field and 77.8% from 3-point range. The Pacers maintained their high shooting accuracy in the second quarter, extending the lead to 22 points.

The Knicks trimmed the deficit to 70-55 at halftime and began the second half with a 12-3 run, reducing the gap to 73-67. However, three consecutive turnovers allowed the Pacers to rebuild their lead to 84-70.

Josh Hart played through an abdominal strain for the Knicks, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.