Tyrese Haliburton has been the driving force for the Indiana Pacers this season. Putting up an impressive display, Haliburton provided the Pacers with much-needed stability. Coming to the conference finals, the Pacers were up against a star-studded New York Knicks lineup. And with just over 3 minutes left, the Pacers were trailing by 14 points in Game 1. But guess who came to the rescue act? With Haliburton wreaking havoc, the Pacers managed to earn a 1-0 lead. And now, as the action shifts to Game 2, one question lingers. Will Haliburton be playing?
Now, while the NBA has been a physically demanding sport, injuries are a common occurrence. Thankfully, as far as the Indiana Pacers are concerned, they are devoid of such injuries until now. Thus, with the team expected to field the same starting lineup, Tyrese Haliburton will be a part of the same.
TYRESE HALIBURTON TONIGHT:
— HaliMuse (@hali_muse) May 22, 2025
31 PTS
11 AST (2 TOV)
4 REB
4 3PM
12-23 FG
Sent the game to OT. Pacers steal Game 1 @ MSG🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/wpTiES8tEk
Surely, the availability of Haliburton is a crucial factor in determining the Pacers’ progress in the league. Back in Game 1, Haliburton was the Pacers’ highest scorer with 31 points. And that was not all. He also chipped in with four rebounds and a whopping 11 assists to see his team cross the line. Meanwhile, despite such a strong showing, Stephen A. Smith seems to be unimpressed by Haliburton.
Stephen A. Smith Reluctant To Call Tyrese Haliburton A ‘Superstar’
Stephen A. Smith is known for his unfiltered takes on matters. Reflecting on the conference finals, Smith decided to make a comparison between Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson. And although both have been instrumental in their team’s successful run, Smith is still skeptical about Haliburton’s superstar status.
“Brunson is (a superstar). Not Haliburton. He is not overrated, he can play and he can close and I give him mad credit for that. But he’s not a superstar,” Smith said in a recent episode of ‘First Take.’
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Stephen A. Smith says Jalen Brunson is a superstar, but Tyrese Haliburton is not
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 19, 2025
“[Hali] isn't asked to do as much to carry [the Pacers'] offense as Brunson does.”
(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/XLFixEqofD
Thus, with things looking quite interesting, it now remains to be seen how Tyrese Haliburton makes the most of his opportunities.
