Cyclones in the NBA: Week Ten

Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers had another big week in the Association, while Georges Niang continued his solid play off the Cavs' bench. THT, Wigginton and Morris all did not see action this week and the G League was off.

Tyrese Haliburton - #0, Indiana Pacers (19-14)
The Pacers went 4-0 on the week, in large part due to another monster week from Tyrese Haliburton. He started the week recording his first ever 20-20 game, tallying 21 points and 20 assists in a road win against the Bulls. Oh, also, he did so with zero turnovers! His six games with at least a dozen dimes and no turnovers this season tie Muggsy Bogues (1989-90) for the most by any player in the last 40 years (via the Athletic).

Tyrese Haliburton continues his HISTORIC run in the Pacers' 5th-straight victory!

🔥 31 PTS, 12 AST, 5 3PM, 3 BLK, 0 TOV
🔥 1st player ever to reach those thresholds in a game
🔥 76 AST, 7 TOV during winning streak... first player ever with that many AST and that few TOV over 5… pic.twitter.com/MvV9lOi5I7
— NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2024

Haliburton then one-upped his game against the Bulls, going for 22 points and 23(!!) assists against the Knicks at home. His 23 assists were a new personal best (toppling his previous high of 20 which he set in the game prior) and tied the Pacers franchise record for most assists in a game. The man he is now tied with? None other than former Cyclone great Jamaal Tinsley. There's something about Cyclone point guards in Indiana.

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Tyrese and the Pacers closed the week with back-to-back contests against the Bucks – one home and one away. The two teams had already met three times and had heated matchups in both the In-Season Tournament and last time out when Giannis demanded the game ball.

Anyway, in the first game against the Bucks, Haliburton just missed out on his second career triple-double in Milwaukee, as he dropped 26 points to pair with 11 dimes and nine rebounds. It's safe to say, owning a 4-1 record against the Bucks this season has gotten in the head of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

gave 'em something to think about. pic.twitter.com/Io5WBcHIZ6
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 4, 2024

The two teams then met again two nights later in Indiana, where it was the same result for the Bucks – a Pacers win. Haliburton had 31 points and 12 assists. One of his 12 assists was a nice no-look pass to teammate Myles Turner. In his five games against Milwaukee this season, he's averaging 27 points, 11 assists and just 1.4 turnovers with a 65.1 percent true shooting percentage.

put it on replay 🔁#NBAAllStar | https://t.co/1zch04mBcc https://t.co/CSc2icCIYS pic.twitter.com/XqE7qxIfAB
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 4, 2024

Haliburton is truly having a special season and NBA fans are in agreement. Tyrese ranks first in the East in terms of fan votes for the All-Star game, which, is coincidentally hosted in Indianapolis this season.

FIRST.

Tyrese Haliburton leads all East guards in the first #NBAAllStar fan returns. KEEP VOTING to make him an All-Star starter in Indy ⭐️https://t.co/T6jmxAXvtp pic.twitter.com/Q6TOuhwymi
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 4, 2024

Haliburton's Week: 25 PPG, 16.5 APG, 4.8 RPG
Next Week: vs. ATL (1/5), vs. BOS (1/6), vs. BOS (1/8), vs. WAS (1/10)

Georges Niang - #20, Cleveland Cavaliers (19-15)
Niang recorded his third 15+ point outing in the last seven games this week, helping lead the Cavaliers to their lone win of the week over Washington as the team went 1-2. Georges also recorded his second most rebounds in a game this season against the Wizards, pulling in eight boards.

Niang was asked his about his New Years resolution as the team heads into 2024.

What's Georges Niang's New Years resolution?

The @cavs G-Wagon shares with us. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/6L42pWS84W
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) January 2, 2024

Niang's Week: 8.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1 APG
Next Week: vs. WAS (1/5), vs. SAS (1/7)

Talen Horton-Tucker - #5, Utah Jazz (16-19)
THT saw action in just one game this week, as the Jazz went 3-1. He didn't make an appearance in the last three games as he's still working to get 100% following a foot injury.

Against the Pelicans in his lone game, Horton-Tucker played six minutes and scored two points.

Next Week: @ BOS (1/5), @ PHI (1/6), @ MIL (1/8), vs. DEN (1/10)

Lindell Wigginton - #28, Milwaukee Bucks (24-10)
Wigginton has made three appearances on the season and has recorded six points. He has been splitting his time with the Bucks as well as their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

Next Week: @ SAS (1/4), @ HOU (1/6), vs. UTA (1/8)

Monté Morris - #5, Detroit Pistons (3-31)
Morris has yet to play this season for the Pistons, as he's dealing with a quad injury. On November 21, Detroit announced Monté will be reevaluated in 6-8 weeks as he continues to work back from injury. That would place Morris potentially on track to return to action around Jan. 9.

Next Week: @ GSW (1/5), @ DEN (1/7), vs. SAC (1/9), vs. SAS (1/10)

G League Check-In
Five Cyclones have made appearances in the G so far this season. Lindell Wigginton became the all-time leading scorer in Wisconsin Herd history, while Brockington, Kalscheur and Conditt IV are all competing in their first season in the G League.

The G League did not have any games over the past week so player stats are the same.

Lindell Wigginton - #28, Wisconsin Herd (10 GP)
Stats: 19.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.9 APG

Izaiah Brockington - #21, Birmingham Squadron (16 GP)
Stats: 13.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 APG

Deonte Burton, #4, Stockton Kings (16 GP)
Stats: 10.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 APG

George Conditt IV - #16, Rip City Remix (12 GP)
Stats: 8.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.5 APG

Gabe Kalscheur - #11, Washington City Go-Go (11 GP)
Stats: 3.3 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.3 APG

To follow your favorite Cyclones throughout the NBA season, head over to the NBA App: https://link.nba.com/IowaSt23-24

Cyclone vs. Cyclone NBA Matchups this Week
Jan. 8 – Jazz at Bucks

Players Mentioned

Gabe Kalscheur

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics