What’s Going On With Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers?

October 28, 2024

The Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton were one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA last season, playing with the kind of efficiency and energy you expect from a team on the rise. But this year, the start has been far from ideal.

After an offseason focused on building off last year’s success, they’ve come out looking like anything but a well-oiled machine. For a young team trying to prove they’re ready to take the next step, the early returns haven’t exactly been encouraging.

Haliburton, the engine of this team, struggled in a brutal game against the Knicks, going 0-for-8 from the field. He bounced back with 22 points against the 76ers, but his four assists in that game were well below his usual standard.

It’s clear that if Haliburton is off, the Pacers’ rhythm goes with him. And while it’s way too early to start worrying, it’s a bit of a reality check for a team looking to keep last season’s momentum alive.

For the Pacers, consistency is everything. Young teams need that steady foundation to take the leap from up-and-coming to serious contender.

Right now, Indiana is still searching for its identity, and Haliburton’s slow start has made that search a little harder.

But there is still plenty of talent here and plenty of reasons to believe — from Haliburton to Pascal Siakam to Myles Turner to coach Rick Carlisle and beyond.

There’s still time to turn it around, of course, but for now, they’re just not in sync. And if they want to keep the dream of a playoff run alive, it’s time to find that rhythm — and fast.