2 days ago
'Your Spit Should Taste Different' — Tyrese Haliburton jokes as he describes the intensity of playing in the NBA finals
(Image Source - Getty Images)
When it's about capturing the true essence of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton doesn't merely discuss intensity — he makes you sense it. The Indiana Pacers' floor leader, fresh from a crucial Game 1 victory and a near triple-double in Game 3, offered a funny yet insightful reminder of how every surge of adrenaline is distinct on this platform.
During a media session leading up to Game 4, Haliburton joked: 'Your spit should taste different.' And honestly? He couldn't be more right.
Tyrese Halliburton embraces every high-stakes moment in this electrifying finals run
Indiana's star guard has been on fire. In Game 1 of the Finals on June 5, Haliburton hit an incredible 21-foot pull-up shot with only 0.3 seconds remaining, completing a 15-point comeback for a 111–110 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder—making it the most recent Finals-winning buzzer-beater since Michael Jordan did it in 1997.
Then, in Game 3 on June 11 in Indianapolis, Haliburton delivered an impressive performance with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds—just one rebound short of a triple-double—as the Pacers secured a 2–1 lead with a 116–107 victory.
Behind his signature blend of jest and grit lies a deep respect for the stakes. When Haliburton quipped that 'your spit should taste different,' he was adorably winking at the increased pressure, the spotlight, and the intense grind that comes with playing in the Finals—things you just don't encounter in any other game.
But more than just being funny, it highlights how he and his teammates have really stepped up their urgency.
The bench, spearheaded by Bennedict Mathurin's 27 points, outscored OKC's reserves 49–18 in Game 3 — making it one of the top three individual bench performances in Finals history.
The Indiana starters have really matched that tagline with their clutch consistency. Haliburton has nailed game-tying or winning shots in every playoff series—something that was only done by Reggie Miller before.
This includes his buzzer-beater, a debut in the Finals with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, and his near triple-double in Game 3. His demeanor—starting off serious and then delivering a killer punchline — reflects a guy who is completely present, enjoying every bit of pressure the Finals have to offer.
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Indiana is just two victories away from securing its first NBA championship, and Haliburton is the driving force behind that success. His witty yet meaningful comment about taste isn't merely a throwaway; it captures how distinct these games feel, even at the most fundamental level. Whether he's making clutch shots, setting the tempo, or leading a remarkable bench effort, Haliburton has taken on the Finals intensity—and perhaps, just perhaps, your taste will be different tonight.
