The Indiana Pacers pulled off a commanding victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Tuesday, officially booking their spot in the conference finals. The win was not only a significant milestone for the team but also a personal triumph for Tyrese Haliburton. Hali delivered a statement performance after being labeled the most overrated player in the NBA by his peers.
Haliburton’s breakout performance didn’t go unnoticed by the basketball world, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. James publicly defended the Pacers guard and sent a clear message to the critics who had previously dismissed Haliburton’s game.
“Hali fkn hooping!!!! Where the lames who said he was overrated??!! Quiet as hell. That boy NICE and even more someone everyone would love to play with!” James wrote on X.
Hali fkn hooping!!!! Where the lames who said he was overrated??!! Quiet as hell. That boy NICE and even more someone everyone would love to play with! 🧠 🏀 @mindthegamepod
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 14, 2025
Haliburton took the court with a chip on his shoulder and played like a man with something to prove. He led the Pacers to a 114-105 win. The Pacers guard had 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting, along with eight assists and six rebounds.
Cooper Flagg Says Tyrese Haliburton Is the League’s Most Underrated Player
Even before Indiana officially advanced to the conference finals, Cooper Flagg had already thrown his support behind Haliburton. The projected No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft spoke highly of Haliburton in a recent interview, calling out the unfair treatment he receives.
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“I would say Tyrese Haliburton because people hate him and call him overrated all the time and say he’s not that good. But he’s such a good basketball player,” Flagg said.
The Pacers are set to take on whichever team emerges victorious from the Celtics vs. Knicks conference semifinal game in the upcoming conference finals.
