Paul Pierce backs Tyrese Haliburton as the young star with the most to gain in 2025
(Image Source - Getty Images)
Tyrese Haliburton was deemed overrated. Now, he's the clutchest player still in the postseason. He is flipping every story that doubted him, and Paul Pierce is aware of it. As the Indiana Pacers move through one playoff round after another, the former Celtics icon believes no young talent has more to lose or gain than Haliburton.
And with each game-winning shot, he's making Pierce look like a seer.
Tyrese Haliburton is turning doubt into dominance
The 2025 NBA Playoffs have really been a stage for Haliburton to shine. After being labeled as the "most overrated" in a poll by The Athletic, the 25-year-old point guard for the Indiana Pacers didn't just talk the talk—he walked the walk with some incredible performances. He finished off Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks with a clutch layup in Game 5.
Then, against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, he nailed a game-winning three-pointer in Game 2 and followed it up with 31 points to clinch the series in Game 5.
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, Haliburton dropped 31 points and dished out 11 assists. He nailed a buzzer-beater floater to push the game into overtime, then guided the Pacers to an exciting 138–135 victory. No other young star left—whether it's MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Minnesota's up-and-coming star
Anthony Edwards
, or New York's cherished Jalen Brunson—has performed quite like Haliburton when it's been crucial.
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On KG Certified, Paul Pierce said it best: 'He got voted most overrated, which is ridiculous… If he win it? He got the most to gain.' Pierce emphasized that players like Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Brunson are already household names. Haliburton, on the other hand, still flies under the radar. No signature shoes. No major national marketing deals. Just basketball brilliance in a small market.
If Haliburton leads a championship run, he'll jump into a whole new level of superstardom.
As he drives Indiana toward what might be just their second-ever NBA Finals appearance, his underdog tale is turning into the most captivating story in basketball.
Also Read:
'Clutch time is different' — Stephen A. Smith credits Tyrese Haliburton's 47% tight-defense shooting in NBA playoffs
Tyrese Haliburton stepped into these playoffs with more critics than fans. But now, he's got highlight reels, buzzer-beaters, and the respect of legends like Paul Pierce. If he can guide the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals, he won't just prove the naysayers wrong—he'll transform the definition of rising in this league. Pierce saw it coming. Haliburton is taking charge. This might only be the beginning.
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