Committed to a pre-game goal of “playing the right way” and helping the Indiana Pacers reaffirm their status as one of the NBA’s fastest-paced offenses, Tyrese Haliburton left behind an example that went beyond anything he could’ve preached. Laying first the bait on CJ McCollum’s offensive attack, Haliburton encourages the idea of a drive-and-kick before vacuuming the pass entirely, leaving him the free runway needed to catapult into a smooth two-handed reverse jam. Noticeably charged up, and now feeding off of Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s electricity, Haliburton —working hand-in-hand, literally, alongside his frontcourt partner in crime — collects a steal, prompting the opportunity at a could-be two-on-one opportunity. Forced into improvisation with McCollum’s near-block threatening his grip, and Dejounte Murray in rearview pursuit, Haliburton adjusts, contorting his body effectively enough to deliver an underhanded, reverse circus shot. Channeling something similar to a blue-and-gold legend of the franchise’s past, Haliburton recorded what became a seven-points-in-27-seconds sequence, keying the Pacers’ 40-point third quarter. Following his prior game’s 32-point, 11-assist, seven-trifecta outing consistently, Haliburton finished with 21 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in December 15, 2024’s win. · Dec 15, 2024