Within the closing seconds of regulation at Madison Sq. Backyard, with the Indiana Pacers trailing by two and Recreation 1 of the Jap Convention Finals on the road, Tyrese Haliburton didn’t hesitate.
He dribbled left, created simply sufficient house, and rose for what he thought was the game-winning three. The shot dropped. So did the guard’s celebration—a now-infamous “choke” gesture geared toward Knicks followers in a nod to Reggie Miller’s legendary playoff taunt.
Solely afterward did Haliburton understand his foot was on the road.
“I simply tried to collect myself and knock the shot down,” Haliburton mentioned. “I believed it was a 3. I attempted to hit the celly. It didn’t work, however we completed it in time beyond regulation.”
It was classic Haliburton—a mix of confidence, showmanship, and clutch execution that has turn into the engine behind Indiana’s postseason surge. What the Pacers’ All-Star guard lacks in playoff expertise, he greater than makes up for in unflinching perception and a capability to raise within the greatest moments.
A Response to Criticism
Haliburton’s rise has come amid outdoors doubt. Days earlier than the second spherical started, The Athletic launched its annual nameless participant ballot. Among the many outcomes, one line stood out: Haliburton was voted the league’s “most overrated” participant, incomes 14.4% of the vote from 90 respondents.
Moderately than dodge the label, Haliburton leaned into it.
“I really like exterior motivation,” he informed ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “Any person’s speaking s–t about me, I wish to know as a result of I wish to reply. I wish to return at them.”
For the reason that ballot was revealed, Haliburton has finished simply that—responding with poise, aptitude, and playoff brilliance. He’s averaging 18.3 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 9.6 assists by way of 12 video games within the 2025 playoffs, taking pictures 46.5% from the sector and 33.3% from 3-point vary. In back-to-back video games in opposition to the Knicks and Cavaliers, he dropped 31 factors apiece, displaying a willingness to take over when the second requires it.
“I have already got the boldness to take the shot within the second, however I’ve that confidence from my group,” Haliburton mentioned. “My group needs me to take these photographs. My teaching employees needs me to take these photographs. Our group needs me to take these photographs. And I believe now we’re on the level the place our followers need me to take that shot.”
Teammate Myles Turner summed it up merely: “He bets on himself. He’s very assured.
The Numbers Again It Up
Past the bravado, Haliburton’s numbers converse volumes. He’s led Indiana in utilization and manufacturing, together with a team-high 23 shot makes an attempt in Recreation 1 in opposition to New York—precisely the kind of offensive aggression followers and coaches have been urging him to indicate extra of.
In closeout video games throughout his NBA profession, Haliburton is averaging 25.0 factors, 8.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds, taking pictures 52.9 p.c from the ground. He leads all remaining playoff gamers in isolation scoring effectivity, producing 1.154 factors per possession—higher than even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson.
And when the stakes are highest, Haliburton hasn’t blinked. He’s considered one of simply two gamers—alongside LeBron James—to document a number of go-ahead area targets within the closing two seconds of a single postseason within the play-by-play period.
Throughout crunch time, Indiana has outscored opponents by a playoff-best 160.5 factors per 100 possessions. It’s no coincidence. Haliburton’s management of tempo and decision-making has turn into Indiana’s heartbeat.
“When it went in, I believed my eyes might need been deceiving me within the second,” he mentioned of his Recreation 1 buzzer-beater. “But it surely felt good when it left my hand.”
A Chief and Lightning Rod
Haliburton’s management goes past the field rating. His confidence has turn into contagious for a Pacers staff that has repeatedly discovered methods to win when few anticipate it. Indiana has already come again from three separate deficits of seven or extra factors within the closing minute of regulation this postseason—a feat matched by only one different staff since 1998.
“We’ve proven all of it yr,” Haliburton mentioned. “We’ve needed to win in so many alternative random distinctive methods and in the present day we simply saved going, saved combating and, uh, man that’s enjoyable.”
He’s additionally embraced the position of agitator, drawing inspiration from his WWE fandom to rile up crowds and opponents. His on-court antics—like mimicking Sam Cassell’s dance after a clutch three or paying homage to Miller’s taunts—aren’t for everybody, however they mirror the sting he performs with.
And he’s not blind to how typically the Pacers are neglected.
“All I preserve seeing is, ‘who’s going to win the East’? Boston, Milwaukee, New York,” Haliburton mentioned. “It’s like what are we doing? Individuals didn’t watch us play till the playoffs… that respect comes with successful, and it’s coming.”
A New Period in Indiana
This marks the primary time in NBA historical past {that a} lower-seeded staff—Indiana—has reached the Jap Convention Finals in back-to-back seasons. It’s a testomony to the Pacers’ resilience, and to Haliburton’s ascent from promising younger guard to franchise cornerstone.
He’s not solely carrying the mantle from Pacers legends like Miller, with whom he shares a mentor-mentee relationship, however carving out a legacy of his personal.
“It’s simply basketball, bro,” Haliburton mentioned. “I receives a commission some huge cash to play a baby’s sport so, um, I really like what I do. I really like my job.”
Indiana now returns to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Recreation 3 with an opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 sequence lead over the Knicks. And with Haliburton on the controls—equal elements playmaker, performer, and provocateur—the Pacers know precisely who they’re following.
