Tyrese Haliburton pulls off his greatest trick yet with a dose of NBA Finals magic

New York Times

a day ago

OKLAHOMA CITY — Usually, it's the uncertainty seizing the breath as the fateful shot travels in slow motion through the air, slow enough to compound the suspense.
But the astonishment from Tyrese Haliburton's game-winner Thursday was provided by its certainty. His 20-footer with 0.3 seconds remaining, punctuating the Indiana Pacers' epic Oklahoma heist, was stunning for its reliability.
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The collective gasp inside Paycom Center wasn't just the shock of Thunder fans, who certainly know the anguish of a wrenched gut. It was the disbelief of expectation being met. Of a cycle treating itself.
On the league's most daunting home court. In his first NBA Finals appearance. After an otherwise uninspiring performance. Haliburton still delivered.
'This is normal,' teammate Obi Toppin emphasized when asked about Haliburton's epic exclamation. 'It's normal. Maybe when this is all over, we'll appreciate it for how big it is. But this is normal. It's what he's been doing all year.'
The Legend of Hali debuted on the NBA's grandest marquee. Because the quality of a performer isn't measured by the size of the crowd or the stage. The best, they are governed by the challenge of the craft. By the internal switch flipping when the crescendo arrives.
Haliburton is both the haughty villain and the valiant hero. The antagonistic protagonist. Simultaneously, the crusher and crafter of dreams.
He was a relative no-show for the first 47 minutes and 53 seconds. He said he had the jitters. The first time on the massive stage, it's hard not to feel its breadth. But when the Pacers got the ball for their final possession, and the moment whispered his name, Haliburton wanted the ball in his hands.
The face of the Pacers, the ire-inspirer, Mr. Overrated himself, sensed it was his time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the dominant star with 38 points. The Thunder crowd roared worthy of its reputation. But the climax of Game 1 belonged to Haliburton.
'When it comes to the moments, he wants the ball,' Pacers center Myles Turner said. 'He wants to be the one to hit that shot. He doesn't shy away from the moment, and (it's) very important this time of the year to have a go-to guy. He just keeps finding a way.'
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With OKC guard Cason Wallace on him, Haliburton danced. With that nervous energy that makes him so hard to predict, he surveyed for an opening. Stopping and starting. Herking and jerking. Searching for an opening to insert the game-winning dagger. Indiana's shake and stake. He pulled up suddenly just inside the arc, launching his high-arching jumper toward NBA history.
And of course, Hali buries it. Simply beautiful.
'He's just a great player and has showed up for us since he's gotten here,' said Haliburton's backup, T.J. McConnell, 'but has really taken (it) to another level in these playoffs, especially toward the end of the game. He's just an incredible player who loves having the ball in his hands in those moments and has continued to show up.'
The only thing missing was the NBA Finals logo on the court. The stamp declaring the magnitude of the moment. The watermark of the league's trademarked magic.
This is exactly why the NBA Finals are special. Game 1 is an homage to the magic it tends to produce. This series may not have many carrots for the casuals. But it's loaded with ingredients for a riveting finals.
Oklahoma City is a burgeoning juggernaut, expected to inaugurate its championship era. Its superstar is the MVP and a scintillating scorer.
The Pacers are a bit unorthodox and perhaps a bit abrasive with their charm. But they are every bit lovable underdogs — or irritants for Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York and now Oklahoma City.
Both teams share the ball, shoot it well, play defense and thrive with pace. Both teams keep camaraderie at the center. Both teams wear the allegiance of their franchise proudly and play up the roles as spoilers of the mainstream.
Already, these finals have stunned the senses.
The transition of eras, the inevitability of change, promises new monumental figures. No grander reveal than the majesty of the finals. From what we've come to learn about SGA, he'll respond, his level of aggression, his efficiency, perhaps even his own theatrics, figure to join this series.
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But Game 1 belonged to Haliburton. He etched his name in the pantheon of greats, those who used this stage to control their eliteness. When the Pacers needed him most, he rose up and joined their ranks.
'It's a shot I've worked on a million times, and I'll work on it a million times more,' he said. 'Just have confidence in that shot.'
Haliburton did his interview with a pair of signature sneakers on the podium with him, pink Pumas they call Hali 1. It's a window into his readiness for this arrival. He knows he belongs. He's already preparing for the stardom that comes next. The fame that comes with coming through. He's got the smile for it. The audacity. And another clutch moment to fuel his legend.
Hali won.
(Top photo of Tyrese Haliburton: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)