Tyrese Haliburton was so locked in on Tuesday night that the comparisons crossed over from basketball to football and not just any football names, either. The Pacers star put up numbers so wild in Game 4 against the Knicks that he’s now being statistically stacked up next to the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees.
The football talk might sound like a reach, but Haliburton’s Game 4 performance wasn’t just great, it was historically efficient, in ways even NFL fans would appreciate.
How Tyrese Haliburton Matched Tom Brady’s Efficiency in Game 4
In Indiana’s 130-121 win to take a 3-1 series lead over New York, Haliburton logged 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, four steals, and zero turnovers. That’s already a massive triple-double on its own, but the statistical analysis didn’t stop there.
According to Synergy Basketball’s Todd Whitehead, Haliburton’s 77 passes on the night traveled a combined 444 yards. That kind of efficient, turnover-free distribution landed him in an elite group; only Tom Brady and Drew Brees have ever produced more yards in a playoff game without a turnover.
Yes, Haliburton’s Game 4 wasn’t just a basketball masterclass — it mirrored one of Brady’s cleanest postseason performances. And just like Brady at his peak, Haliburton made it look easy.
Tyrese Haliburton threw 77 passes for 444 yards last night – without a single interception. pic.twitter.com/JML07rTU1d
— Todd Whitehead (@CrumpledJumper) May 28, 2025
Field Yates of ESPN pointed out that Haliburton’s night would’ve registered a 99.7 QBR. That would be the third-highest since ESPN began tracking the stat. If you’re keeping score, Haliburton just put together one of the most efficient “passing” performances ever, across two sports.
Is Haliburton a Game Manager or an Offensive Engine?
Some might question how impressive it really is to throw 77 passes at an average of 5.8 yards, but that misses the mark. Haliburton didn’t just protect the ball. He dictated the entire pace of play, found his teammates in the right spots, and kept the Knicks chasing all night long.
Pascal Siakam added 30 points of his own, but Magic Johnson made it clear who the star was.
“Tyrese Haliburton made NBA history tonight becoming the first player with a triple-double and no turnovers scoring 32 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds,” Johnson wrote on X. “The key to the Pacers victory is that they played fast all night long and wore the Knicks down.”
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Haliburton also shot 11-of-23 from the field while finishing with a game-high +16 in 40 minutes. He even chipped in with 12 defensive rebounds and hit 5 of 6 free throws.
But with Haliburton playing like a Hall of Fame quarterback in sneakers, Indiana just might be ready to close the deal.
