The NBA In-Season Tournament has been a source of excitement among players, coaches, and fans alike. The quarterfinals have seen some intense matchups, with the Indiana Pacers emerging as a surprise victor over the Boston Celtics. The Pacers' victory was largely attributed to Tyrese Haliburton's stellar performance, recording his first career triple-double with 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner also contributed significantly to the Pacers' win, adding 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics, despite a strong performance from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, were unable to secure a win. Tatum scored 32 points while Brown added 30 points. However, turnovers proved costly for the Celtics, ultimately leading to their defeat. The disappointment was palpable among the Celtics, who missed the opportunity to advance to the next round.
In another quarterfinal, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings, with Brandon Ingram scoring 30 points. The Pacers will now face either the Milwaukee Bucks or the New York Knicks in the semifinals.
The atmosphere during these games has been likened to that of the playoffs, with the intensity of the games being a highlight. The tournament has been praised for bringing a new level of intensity to the games, and there is optimism about its future. The Pacers' offense proved too much for the Celtics to handle in the second half, and the game was closely contested until the Pacers pulled away in the final minutes.