For many weeks, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers were very disappointing and even worrying. But for the past month, everything has been better with 10 victories in 13 matches. Among the notable changes, there is the level of the playmaker. Very clumsy, especially on the outside, it was difficult to see again the one who had enchanted the start of the 2023/24 season, establishing himself as a new star of the league .
On November 8, 2024, he finished with 9 points in a defeat against the Hornets, without scoring a winning basket. The last straw…
“It was so catastrophic. It was the first time I was really frustrated with myself, and with the band. But it was mostly me. How could I be better? »he remembers for The Athletic.
Did he have physical problems? Drew Hanlen, his personal trainer, doesn't rule it out. “He rushed to come back last season, because of the 65-game rule (to be eligible for individual rewards and financial bonuses)and was never in full health. The injury got worse at the Olympics so he couldn't work afterwards. He hasn't been able to train all summer.”he says.
But another reason explains Tyrese Haliburton's more than average performances at the start of the season: his handling of pressure. “This year, for some reason, it was hurting him”notes Drew Hanlen.
Social networks, an engine that has become poison
It used to be fuel for Indiana's All-Star. He was able to pick up his phone at halftime of a game to look at the criticism about him on social media, to find fuel to prove his detractors wrong. This is how he got through difficult times.
“I got too caught up in external noise and indulged in negative thoughts about myself”he admits. “It was the first time in my life that I really doubted what I was doing. I felt like my personal struggles were causing those of the team. In many matches, we were in trouble, and as I wasn't at my best, that's what prevented us from winning. »
A solution emerged: delete the X/Twitter application from your phone, to avoid bad vibes. And go back to church too.
“Reading the Bible did me good. My relationship with the Lord is important for me to be the best version of myself and to energize the group,” he says. “After that, things changed for me. I felt so much better. »
The statistics prove it since over these last 13 matches, Tyrese Haliburton averages 20.1 points and 9.8 assists. Figures much more in line with his true level of play, and which are accompanied by good percentages: 48% shooting success and 41% at 3-points.
| Tyrese Haliburton | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 58 | 30 | 47.2 | 40.9 | 85.7 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 13.0 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 77 | 35 | 47.3 | 41.4 | 84.2 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 8.2 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 15.3 |
| 2021-22 * | BAG | 51 | 34 | 45.7 | 41.3 | 83.7 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 14.3 |
| 2021-22 * | IND | 26 | 36 | 50.2 | 41.6 | 84.9 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 9.6 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 17.5 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 56 | 34 | 49.0 | 40.0 | 87.1 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 10.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 20.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 69 | 32 | 47.7 | 36.4 | 85.5 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 10.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2024-25 | IND | 38 | 35 | 44.1 | 36.1 | 85.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 8.9 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 18.4 |
| Total | 298 | 33 | 47.3 | 38.8 | 85.5 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 8.8 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 17.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
