Pacers Franchise History Records Show Pascal Siakam Has Played in Fifth-Most 20-Point Playoff Games
Pascal Siakam proved his haters wrong in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, leading the Pacers to a thrilling victory over the Thunder and putting Indiana on the brink of a historic upset. The big man has been nothing short of phenomenal, tallying the fifth-most 20-point playoff games in Pacers franchise history.
After forcing Oklahoma City into 19 turnovers, the Pacers thrived on the energy provided by the raucous home crowd at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tyrese Haliburton, who had struggled early in the series, nearly recorded a triple-double with 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists.
Siakam fired back at Charles Barkley's criticism, stating that the Thunder's defense made it difficult for him to make the right plays in the mid-post. In Game 3, he tallied 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, demonstrating just how dangerous he can be when he finds his rhythm in the paint.
This wasn't Siakam's first rodeo, as he played a crucial role in the Raptors' 2018-19 NBA championship run. In a recent interview, he shared that the experience was both great and elite, with his coach trusting him to be himself during the championship series.
Although the team had a different coach and system back then, Siakam averaged 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors, showcasing his potential as a future NBA superstar. With his fearless attitude and unwavering confidence, there's no doubt that Siakam is ready to seize the moment and lead the Pacers to victory in this year's Finals.
According to additional data, Haliburton's impressive performance in Game 3 was more than just a bounce-back game. His statistics were extraordinary, posting 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, alongside two steals and a block. Furthermore, his strong leadership was evident, as he praised his teammates in the post-game press conference and emphasized the importance of the entire roster's contributions. [1][2]
Reference(s):[1] NBA.com - Thunder vs. Pacers Game Recap[2] ESPN - Haliburton Leads Pacers to Game 3 Victory
Pascal Siakam's impressive performance in Game 3, with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, further showcases his inherent skill in basketball, a sport that the NBA continuously highlights. His Game 3 statistics echoed the exceptional numbers attained by Tyrese Haliburton, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, alongside two steals and a block, displaying a remarkable turnover of events after an initial struggle in the series. Moreover, Haliburton's strong leadership on the team was evident in the post-game press conference, underscoring the importance of teamwork in NBA Finals.
