Watch: Tyrese Haliburton-T.J. McConnell combo brings Pacers back in first quarter

Tyrese Haliburton scored 13 points in the first quarter, while T.J. McConnell had four assists. The two-point lineup helped the Pacers climb out of an 11-point hole and finish a fast-paced first quarter tied 36-36 with the Knicks.

Once again, McConnell befuddled the Knicks off the bench, often finding fellow reserve and former Knick Obi Toppin, who went for 10 points in the first. He also stole the ball from Josh Hart twice.

 It’s another bench triumph after Game 1, when Indiana’s reserves outscored the Knicks’ bench, 46-3. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau likes to play his starters big minutes, but he has little choice after injuries to Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson have left the Knicks’ bench sparse.

The Pacers needed the Halliburton and McConnell team-up after the Knicks raced to a big lead with an early 15-3 run

The Knicks knew Haliburton would be a challenge. They probably didn’t expect a 32-year-old backup point guard to hurt them like McConnell has.