'Not always beneficial' – Frustrated Tyrese Haliburton finds peace in Indiana Pacers' impressive playoff performance despite media ignorance

Time of India

a day ago

The Indiana Pacers are just three wins away from capturing their first NBA title, but even that hasn't been enough to get them the national respect typically afforded to Finals contenders.
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Despite a playoff run that includes wins over top Eastern Conference opponents like the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, the Pacers continue to fly under the radar. Point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the face of the franchise, is well aware of the quiet treatment, and he's made peace with it.
Tyrese Haliburton reflects on being overlooked, media noise, and battling through pain
Tyrese Haliburton didn't hold back when asked about how the Indiana Pacers have been viewed throughout their playoff journey.
He voiced his frustration with the way success is often dismissed or downplayed, even by leading voices in basketball media.
'I think when you're successful people will always find a reason to discredit you. That's really how it goes,' Haliburton told ESPN's Malika Andrews. 'The way that our sport is talked about sometimes—even by the people who are put in the most major positions to talk about it—is not always beneficial, really for anybody.'
Still, the All-Star guard is choosing to focus on what matters most: winning basketball games for the team.
'At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what people have to say about our road to get here, where we are right now, how we're playing. We're three games away from being NBA champions. That's the biggest thing."
Haliburton's leadership has been key to Indiana's stunning Finals appearance. He's hit four game-tying or game-winning shots in this postseason alone.
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And even in their Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he rallied late with 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Yet, it was after that game that cameras spotted Haliburton walking with a slight limp. He later addressed concerns about his health during a press conference, brushing off speculation.
'I'm fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that. I don't think there's anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I'll be ready to go for Game 3.'
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle also gave his thoughts on the discomfort Tyrese was facing, confirming that Haliburton practiced and is determined to play despite lingering discomfort.
'He went through everything. I know he has some discomfort... This is the time of year where it just doesn't get any better than this.'
Haliburton also admitted the team lost its grip in Game 2, acknowledging a momentum shift after a rough second quarter, 'We got Game 1, you know, but it felt like we really let the rope slip there in the second quarter.'
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Still, with the series tied 1-1 and Game 3 set for Wednesday night in Indianapolis, the Pacers are focused on the task ahead.