 Jamaal Tinsley's 19 points, 11 rebounds and 23 assists made him only the second Pacer rookie to log a triple-double. Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images |
Tinsley scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to become the second Indiana rookie to register a triple-double. Chuck Person had a triple-double on December 20, 1986. His 23 assists were a Pacers record.
"I think I am coming along pretty good after two months," Tinsley said. "I know I will still make mistakes and am making some. But I am going out there with the intent of playing 48 minutes of hard, tough basketball."
For Tinsley, a Brooklyn native who did not play any high school basketball, playing against Jordan was a memorable experience.
"I don't know how to put in into words," Tinsley said. "He's one of the greatest ever. I just wanted to play hard."
Great games are nothing new for Tinsley as he scored a season-high 29 points in Tuesday's victory over Atlanta. The 23 assists was two off the NBA rookie record held by Ernie DiGregorio and matched by his coach, Isiah Thomas.
"He just plays the game and he plays it the right way," Thomas said. "He takes shots when he has them, he makes the right pass and he's a great defender."
Washington led by as many as eight points in the third quarter but Tinsley led a big comeback. He assisted on a layup by Jeff Foster to pull Indiana into a 56-56 tie with 7:42 left and scored off an assist from Reggie Miller to give the Pacers the lead for good at 60-59 with 6:12 to go.
Tinsley also provided the game's signature play near the end of the quarter. He took a pass from Al Harrington and put the ball behind his back annd scored while being fouled by Hubert Davis. He added the free throw for a 79-73 lead with a minute to play.
"He has a lot of talent," Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal said. "He makes this team better. He allows us to play Jalen at the 'three' position. He helps us in a lot of ways."
O'Neal led Indiana with 27 points while Miller and Rose each added 15. All five starters for the Pacers scored in double figures thanks to Tinsley's adept passing.
Jordan made just 8-of-26 shots for 21 points as Washington lost its eighth straight. It is the longest losing streak of Jordan's career.
"Jamaal Tinsley played exceptionally well," Jordan said. "He's learning from one of the greatest point guards to play the game in Isiah Thomas. One thing I think people are overlooking is that he went to college for four years. I really think that was big for his development."
Christian Laettner added 19 points and 15 rebounds for Washington while Richard Hamilton also scored 19.
"We have to find a way to start winning games," Wizards first-year coach Doug Collins said. "We're playing good enough to win games. We just need better team stretches."