There’s no doubt about it, the Indiana Pacers have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead over the New York Knicks because of All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.

During Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, Haliburton had 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in a 130-121 victory over the Knicks. He became the first player in NBA history to have at least 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds without recording a single turnover.

Despite putting on a show Tuesday night, Haliburton was all class during his postgame press conference.

“I was just trying to be aggressive,” Haliburton told reporters. “Just trying to play my best. I felt like I let the team down in Game 3. I could have been so much better. I felt like I responded the right way today

“I just want to be able to prove that I can respond when my back’s against the wall, when our team’s back is against the wall. This is a big win for us because if we go back down there 2-2, it’s a little different momentum-wise.”

Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 23: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball during the second quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 23, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Haliburton’s longtime girlfriend, Jade Jones, was in attendance to witness his historic performance.

After Game 4 between the Knicks and Pacers went final, Haliburton’s girlfriend posted this message on Instagram: “TRIPLE DOUBLE HIMMMM.”

Suffice to say, Jones liked what she saw on Tuesday night.

 

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Haliburton and Jones met when they were students at Iowa State. They’ve been dating for the past six years and show zero signs of slowing down.

When the Pacers stunned the Knicks in Game 1, Jones told Haliburton she was incredibly proud of him. With that said, he’s one win away from making the NBA Finals.

If the Pacers make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, Haliburton and Jones will most likely share a heartfelt moment on the hardwood together.

ESPN NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins Issues Apology

Kendrick Perkins’ comments about Anthony Edwards’ personal life led to him apologizing to the T’Wolves star on social media Wednesday.

Yesterday the former NBA center and current ESPN analyst claimed the 23-year-old All-Star couldn’t be the “face of the league” because he wasn’t a married man that fit the mold of a role model.

“You gotta check the boxes when you’re the face of the league,” Perkins argued on Tuesday’s “First Take.” “Yes, we know you gotta have your signature shoe, you’re gonna be in commercials, you’re gonna have the highlights, you gotta have the game. But you know what else you gotta have? You gotta be a role model.”

“You look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph, what did they all have in common? While they was all playing in the league, they all were family men. They all were married with kids,” Perkins added. “And if you think that don’t play a role as far as the role model, this is facts. This is not something that I’m making up. … While they were playing, they were family men. Married with kids.”

Putting some of the false examples he laid out aside, it was still a little out-of-bounds for the ex-NBA champ to bring up. And he recognized that on his X account earlier this afternoon.

“Anthony Edwards is one my favorite players in the League if not my favorite player. I apologized privately so I’m apologizing publicly to the young 👑 for my comments on First Take yesterday,” Perkins said. “My bad young fella. I Was not taking a personal shot at you but I could see how it could have been taken that way.”

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 24: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a shot during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 24, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Shaq, Kobe and Magic all had very public bouts with infidelity during their careers and that didn’t stop them from being the faces of their respective basketball eras.

Acting like Anthony Edwards can’t be a devoted father despite not being married in his early 20s just seems a bit nonsensical. (Keep in mind he was sitting next to the similarly unmarried Stephen A. Smith — “face of the network” — while he delivered this).

At this point the question about Ant-Man and his potential face of the league status isn’t about his marketability, but rather does he have the game for it?