Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrese Haliburton leads Pacers to in-season tournament finals

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 12/7/23

What happened in Vegas Thursday afternoon has been happening throughout the NBA this season.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton delivered another gem in the first semifinal of the in-season tournament in Indiana's 128-119 win over Milwaukee.

He scored 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting with 15 assists and seven rebounds.

Haliburton was dealing against the Bucks, finding forward Obi Toppin for an alley-oop from halfcourt and then an open Myles Turner for an easy bucket in a one-point game in the fourth.

OBI TOPPIN REVERSE LOB FROM HALF

Pacers/Bucks on ESPN
Winner advances to Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/5gNgv3WIMa
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023

15 ASSISTS, 0 TURNOVERS

Tyrese Haliburton

Pacers/Bucks on ESPN
Winner advances to Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/HOSDUq0yAQ
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023

He's been the star of the in-season tournament, leading the Pacers to the semifinals with a 20-point triple-double in the quarterfinals against the Celtics.

Over his past two games, he has 28 assists with no turnovers. Haliburton also leads the league in games with 20 points and 10 assists this season (12).

The win made Indiana's players $100,000 richer. Instead of leaving Vegas with the $100,000 allocated for the losing semifinal teams, the team is guaranteed no less than $200,000 per player by reaching the finals. If Haliburton's scorching run continues, he might earn himself and his teammates $500,000 apiece by winning the tournament.

The Pacers will play either the Los Angeles Lakers (13-9, fifth in Western Conference) or New Orleans Pelicans (12-10, eighth in Western Conference) for the NBA Cup on Saturday.

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