The Indiana Pacers surprised NBA fans by advancing to the Finals, where they took on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although they did not clinch the title, their strong bench depth impressed audiences throughout the series. Additionally, Tyrese Haliburton emerged as a standout offensive leader, significantly raising his game. After his standout performances, a Hall of Famer evaluated his passing skills, making a bold statement on the matter.
“I would say this about Tyrese — I think he’s one of the greatest simple early-passers I’ve ever seen. Sometimes you have great vision like Tyrese and you want to hold it to make that killer pass. You think, ‘I can get something better,’ and you might hold it for a second. But sometimes he just gets rid of it. And what that does — it makes defenses unsettled,” Steve Nash said, via Mind the Game podcast.
Tyrese delivered a strong performance throughout the regular season, posting averages of 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. However, it was during the postseason that his prowess truly shined. Facing off against the New York Knicks in the Conference Finals, he elevated his game significantly, boosting his assist average to 10.5 and his scoring to 21 points per game.
Not only did Steve Nash but also Kevin Durant praised Tyrese for his impressive performance with the Indiana Pacers. In an interview on Mind the Game podcast, he stated, “What I love about Indy (Indiana Pacers) too, and what I think is an underrated factor, like Tyrese kicks the ball ahead, He doesn’t dribble across halfcourt every time … The center hand him the ball, he kicking it ahead no matter who it is.”
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers shoots over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Tyrese Haliburton’s injury expected to reshape Indiana Pacers’ plans for 2025–26 season
In the wake of a devastating injury sustained during the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton is confirmed to miss the entire 2025-26 season. As a result, the franchise is adapting its strategy with Andrew Nembhard stepping into the role of lead point guard. While he may not possess Haliburton’s creative flair, his decision-making prowess and defensive capabilities position him as a crucial asset to the team.
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Meanwhile, the onus falls on Pascal Siakam to steer the team forward, much like he did during the postseason. His scoring ability will be instrumental in helping the Indiana Pacers maintain their competitive edge. Nevertheless, the challenge remains in compensating for the seamless offensive transitions that Haliburton provided, which were pivotal in their journey to the NBA Finals.
