We don't know if it's the approach of the NBA Cup, of which he was the revelation last year, but the difficult start to the season Tyrese Haliburton is perhaps finally behind him. The Pacers leader took a little time to get going, notably with a zero point at 0/8 shooting against the Knicks two weeks ago.
Suffice to say that the leader of the Pacers was eagerly awaiting the reunion with the New Yorkers this Sunday. Despite a difficult context with the avalanche of injuries currently affecting Rick Carlisle's group, Tyrese Haliburton blazed by passing 35 points and 14 assists, forming with Bennedict Mathurin a fiery tandem which ended up imploding the Knicks.
Like his teammate Pascal Siakam, who quickly understood by seeing Tyrese Haliburton's attitude before the match that something was up, his coach Rick Carlisle left the match impressed by his infectious determination.
“He had that look, it’s as simple as that. I could have done whatever I wanted, but there are just times when great players just have that thing in their eyes. They are determined, not only to have a great match individually, but to have a big impact on the match for their teammates as well.”, he confided. “Tyrese was incredible in this match. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him as determined for a regular season game as he was in this game.”
Aggression on both sides of the floor
Two elements favored his great performance, the first is his aggressiveness towards the circle and his desire to collapse the defense in the New York paint, by going to finish or to come out towards one of his teammates. “He can attack the rim whenever he wants. He has that touch”specified Pascal Siakam.
The second was the good defense displayed by Indiana, or at least the sequences which allowed Indiana to shine by providing quick play, like the 3-pointer signed Bennedict Mathurin which sealed the fate of the two-legged match. minutes from the end, thanks to a good defensive sequence beforehand, and a service from the inevitable Haliburton.
“Our determination in defense always takes us towards very good momentum in attack. And our guys were able to read situations well. We found the right guys off the screen, and Tyrese Haliburton's level of involvement made the difference. This is what carried us”confirmed Rick Carlisle.
Tyrese Haliburton also took stock of the situation, with many injured people currently in the infirmary. It was simply up to him to set an example, so that everyone could “raise your level of play and be ready to play”he insisted.
“It’s super important for us. Of course we would like everyone to be on the pitch with us on the pitch. But at the same time, we have other guys who are stepping up, and so everyone has to be ready to play.”
| 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 | 10 | 35 | 40.8 | 27.3 | 76.9 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 8.3 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 16.7 |
| Total | 270 | 33 | 47.5 | 38.8 | 85.1 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 8.7 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 17.2 | |
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.
