The Indiana Pacers secured a commanding 4–2 series victory over the New York Knicks, earning their first trip to the NBA Finals in more than two decades. At the heart of the triumph was Tyrese Haliburton, whose stellar performance throughout the series delivered a statement that could be remembered for years to come.
Haliburton, often labeled “overrated” by critics—and even reportedly by peers in a recent The Athletic player poll—delivered under pressure. One teammate, however, has long believed otherwise.
Following the Game 6 victory at Madison Square Garden, veteran center Myles Turner addressed the noise head-on, defending Haliburton’s rise and leadership. In his postgame press conference, captured in a video by X (formerly Twitter) user @ohnohedidnt24, Turner expressed unwavering support for the Pacers’ star point guard.
“I’m so proud of Tyrese [Haliburton], bro, for real,” Turner said. “When it comes to being a superstar, you’ve got to take everything that comes with it—the highs and the lows, the good and the bad. From how the season started to the criticism he faced, people were ready to turn their backs on him. But he kept his head down and kept working. Even going into these playoffs, the whole ‘overrated’ thing was still hanging around. I think it’s safe to say that’s dead now. There’s really nothing left to say.”
Haliburton’s production backed up Turner’s praise. The NBA All-Star guard averaged a double-double throughout the series, combining scoring and playmaking at an elite level. While he didn’t take home Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors—that award went to Pascal Siakam—his impact on the court was undeniable.
see also
When was the last time the Indiana Pacers went to the NBA Finals?
Siakam’s veteran presence and clutch scoring were crucial, but Haliburton’s leadership and composure in high-pressure moments have reshaped the narrative around him. Turner elaborated on what it means to shoulder the responsibilities of being “the guy.”
“It’s a lot of pressure being the main guy,” he said. “People don’t always see the off-the-court stuff you have to deal with, being that face of the franchise. I think he’s done a great job. It’s all happened fast for him, but he’s stayed composed and showed up when it mattered most. When people talk about him being the next Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck of this city—it makes sense. He’s the head of the snake.”
