Tyrese Haliburton was quiet during the first game, when he scored just 6 points and committed 3 turnovers in a losing effort.
He averaged 29.7 points, 7 assists and 1.7 steals in his next three games, two of which were Indiana wins.
Haliburton does not shy away from conflict and has openly mocked Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo during games.
The same video highlighted his message to DiVincenzo mid-game in both Game 3 and Game 4.
“You can’t (expletive) with me!” was Haliburton’s message in Game 3.
He doubled down on his claim in Game 4, telling the crowd “He can’t protect me! NO! NO!” after hitting a three on DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo, like Haliburton, has reversed course since the beginning of the series. Except that his progression was a regression.
In the first 29.3 points on 6 3-pointers made per game in the first three games of the series, DiVincenzo scored just 7 points on 3-of-13 shooting in the Game 4 blowout.