In the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning shot in Game 1 stood out despite his overall subdued performance, finishing with just 14 points and six assists. However, in Game 2, the Indiana Pacers fell 123-107 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Haliburton struggling again, scoring only 5 points through the first three quarters. His averages so far in the Finals are concerning, with 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, alongside 4.0 turnovers—well above his regular season average of 1.6.
Haliburton’s inefficiency is evident, with no free throw attempts and diminished scoring compared to earlier in the playoffs. He emphasized needing to improve his performance in the first halves of games, acknowledging the Thunder’s strong defensive play. Historically, he excelled at driving into the paint, averaging nearly 11 drives per game during the regular season. However, against the Thunder’s athletic defense, he’s now averaging fewer than nine drives and has yet to convert these opportunities into assists.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pointed out the challenge of penetrating the Thunder’s well-organized defense, which is skilled at preventing opponents from scoring in the paint. Haliburton highlighted that the team’s offense thrives on inside scoring but struggled to achieve this in Game 2, lacking points in the paint in the first quarter. The overall emphasis for the Pacers remains on attacking the paint to generate offensive opportunities. Haliburton’s ability to create for teammates has diminished as he seeks to adapt to the Thunder’s defensive schemes, which could be critical if the Pacers hope to stay competitive in the Finals.
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