Tyrese Haliburton has come up with multiple clutch shots in the playoffs, including the game-winner in Game 1.
The NBA Finals are tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3. While the Pacers lost Game 2, they were able to shift home court to their advantage by defeating the Thunder in Game 1. Hitting the game winning shot was Tyrese Haliburton, who has been one of the stars of the entire playoffs.
Regular-season play (2024-25)
Normally an efficient scorer, Haliburton started off the regular season slowly by shooting 40.5% from the field over his first 21 games. However, a 30-point performance in which he shot 10-for-16 from the field in December against the Raptors helped turn his season around. From that game forward, he shot 50.2% from the field.
Haliburton finished the season with averages of 18.6 points and 3.0 3-pointers per game, while shooting 47.3% from the field and 38.8% from behind the arc. He has never shot worse than 47.2% from the field for a season in his career. His scoring average was down a bit, though, as he had averaged at least 20.1 points in both of the last two seasons. In his first full season playing alongside Pascal Siakam, Haliburton saw his usage rate dip from 24.6% two seasons ago to 21.6% this season.
Siakam is also a good passer, which contributed to Haliburton averaging 9.2 assists per game, as he didn’t have the ball in his hands quite as much. While that’s still a great number, Haliburton had averaged at least 10.4 assists in both of the prior two seasons.
A postseason run to remember
Haliburton has come up with multiple clutch shots in the playoffs, including the game-winner in Game 1 against the Thunder. His playoff numbers mostly mirror his regular season contributions, with him averaging 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.4 3-pointers across 18 playoff games. He has shot 46.9% from the field, but has struggled a bit from deep by shooting 33.3% from behind the arc.
Fantasy outlook: 2025-26
Haliburton had an ADP of 12 in fantasy basketball drafts this season, meaning that he was a first round pick in many leagues. While his points and assists averages were down slightly compared to the prior two seasons, he still came through with a very valuable campaign. He also played 73 games, which were the second-most in a season for him during his career. For a player who has the ball in his hands as much as Haliburton does, his average of 1.6 turnovers per game was especially impressive. That also made him even more valuable in category leagues that count turnovers.
Haliburton turned 25 years old in February, so he hasn’t even entered the prime of his career yet. The Pacers should return largely the same roster next season, with Myles Turner being their only noteworthy free agent. Haliburton, Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin are all under contract for at least the next two seasons.
Haliburton is a young star who runs point for a team that likes to push the pace. If the Pacers can bring back Turner, Haliburton will also have continuity heading into next season. Even if Turner does depart in free agency, Haliburton should have mostly familiar faces around him. Expect Haliburton to be selected in the first round of many fantasy basketball drafts again next season, and rightfully so.
