Cyclones in the NBA: Week 23

Georges Niang and Tyrese Haliburton had solid performances in key wins as the playoffs grow closer in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Tyrese Haliburton - #0, Indiana Pacers (43-33)
After a poor showing in Chicago against the Bulls, the Pacers rallied to win their next two games against the Lakers and the Nets to hold onto the sixth seed in the eastern conference and stay out of the play-in tournament. The Pacers hold a slim half-game lead over the seventh-place Heat with around two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Haliburton continued putting up a great stretch of performances over the week, averaging over 20 points per game and nearly nine assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the three-point line. In the game against the Lakers, Haliburton recorded eight rebounds in the victory, the most he has secured in the past 30 games for the Pacers.

In their last game against the Nets, Haliburton was perfect in nearly every aspect of the Pacers' 133-111 win. Haliburton led all scorers with 27 points, shooting 60 percent from the field, while putting up 13 assists in the key win.

Haliburton's Week: 20.3 PPG, 8.7 APG, 5.3 RPG
Next Week: @ BKN (4/3), vs. OKC (4/5), vs. MIA (4/7), @ TOR (4/9)

Georges Niang - #20, Cleveland Cavaliers (46-30)
The Cleveland Cavaliers went 2-2 on the week that included a big win against the 76ers, a potential team they could face in the first round of the playoffs, and a loss to the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

The Cavs hold onto their third seed position in the eastern conference as they chase down the Milwaukee Bucks who are 1.5 games in front of them.

Niang remains consistent as a scoring presence on the Cavs, averaging 13 points over the four games this week.

Georges had a great showing in the win against the 76ers with 25 points, his second-highest scoring performance this season, along with shooting 62.5 percent from behind the arc.

Niang's Week: 12.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG
Next Week: @ PHX (4/3), @ LAL (4/6), @ LAC (4/7)

Monté Morris - #23, Minnesota Timberwolves (49-22)
Morris and the Minnesota Timberwolves had another strong week, going 3-1 with a win against the first-place Denver Nuggets to secure a place in the postseason. Minnesota's strong performances of late leave them in a heated battle for first place in the western conference where the Thunder and The Timberwolves find themselves a half game out of first place with just under two weeks left to play in the regular season.

Morris continues to provide a veteran backcourt presence needed for the ascending Timberwolves as they head towards the postseason.

Morris' Week: 3.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.8 APG
Next Week: vs. TOR (4/3), @ PHX (4/5), @ LAL (4/7), vs. WAS (4/9)

Talen Horton-Tucker - #5, Utah Jazz (29-47)
The Jazz went 0-4 in the past week, including a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Rockets and to Georges Niang and the Cavaliers.

The Jazz have been eliminated from postseason contention with six games remaining in their regular season.

Horton-Tucker only played in two of the four games this week for the Jazz with his best performance against the Cavaliers where he scored 12 points in the loss.

Horton-Tucker's Week: 6.0 PPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 RPG
Next Week: @ LAC (4/5), @ GSW (4/7), vs. DEN (4/9)

G League Check In
Izaiah Brockington - #21, Birmingham Squadron (15-19)
Stats: 12.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 APG

George Conditt IV - #16, Rip City Remix (18-16)
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.3 APG

Deonte Burton - #4, Stockton Kings (24-10)
Stats: 11.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG

Gabe Kalscheur - #20, Iowa Wolves (7-27)
Stats: 3.5 PPG, 0.8 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 Matchups this Week
N/A

Players Mentioned

Gabe Kalscheur

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics