Haliburton, Pacers looking for answers with 13 games to play
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The question on everyone’s mind these days: What is going on with Tyrese Haliburton? The Pacers star put together an absolutely historic first half of the season, but has been searching for any semblance of that level of production since returning from his hamstring injury. As he goes, the Pacers go. And with just 13 games to play, patience will be harder to come by.
Here’s what I believe: Haliburton will find the magic again. It’s just a matter of when. And will he find it soon enough for this season to be salvaged? The Pacers would love to avoid the play-in tournament, and reach their season-long goal of playing in a full Playoff series. For that to happen, zero needs to become hero once again.
“Never went through a slump like this in my life,” said Haliburton after Monday’s game. “Everyone’s got the ******* answer, but it’s just about me figuring **** out. I’ve got to be better, and I will be better.”
Some will speculate that Haliburton isn’t 100% healthy. Others will mention Buddy Hield’s departure. And some may just believe it’s a shooting slump and the mental aspect of this game isn’t nearly as easy as you may think. Maybe it’s a combination of things. The Pacers are still learning how to play with Pascal Siakam, and how to play without Hield and Mathurin. The defense has improved, but the offense has been a shell of its former self. You can argue this team is better or worse for various reasons. But you cannot argue the main point: Haliburton is the engine of the entire operation. And the Pacers need him to return to his All-Star level if they’re going to get where they want to go.
Haliburton recently joined “Podcast P,” where he spoke very candidly about losing Buddy Hield and what that has meant to him personally and professionally:
The trade has undoubtedly impacted Haliburton and the Pacers. As Rick Carlisle pointed out recently: “These men aren’t machines.” There’s a human element of this that can easily get overlooked. Haliburton spoke about some of that human element as he gave an answer to The Athletic’s James Boyd:
The roster changes have clearly impacted the Pacers, but it doesn’t mean they can’t figure this thing out down the stretch. This team is still very capable of becoming the team nobody wants to face in a playoff series. I’ll be looking for that one vintage Haliburton performance in the near future where things click, and the confidence returns.
This next five-game road trip will determine a lot for the Pacers hopes to reach a top 6-seed in the East. It all starts with a must-win game in Detroit on Wednesday. Playing on the road for a few weeks might be a benefit for Haliburton and his teammates. It’s time for this group to come together, make the adjustments needed, find their collective confidence, and right the ship before the season sinks.
