"It's becoming so obvious why this machine in Indiana works" - Colin Cowherd says Tyrese Haliburton is the reason the Pacers are thriving
Ever since Tyrese Haliburton was named the "most overrated" player in the league by a random NBA players poll, the 25-year-old point guard seems to have taken it personally. After capping off the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a dramatic game-winning layup in Game 5, the Wisconsin native wasn't done stealing the spotlight. Instead, he took over Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He knocked down a clutch three-pointer, which led his team to go up 2-0 in the series. It also prompted Colin Cowherd to publicly remind critics that Hali is the very heartbeat of the Indiana Pacers' gritty, never-say-die identity.
Haliburton has been clutch
While some of the game's all-time greats have struggled to close out high-pressure moments, leaving blemishes on otherwise stellar careers, Hali is quietly building one of the most impressive clutch resumes in the league.
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He is currently shooting an insane 91 percent in tie-or-lead situations. To put that into a better perspective, he has knocked out 10 such shots, seven in the 2024-25 regular season and three more in the postseason.
Highlighting this rare ability, Cowherd emphasized how Haliburton never gets credit for having such a thorough clutch gene. Even when he remains subpar throughout a game, he is one player that his team trusts to lead them past the victory line, as he is versatile enough to make such plays single-handedly.
"Tyrese Haliburton is the most 'overrated player' in the league; that's what the NBA players poll said," Cowherd said. "I'm gonna flip that; he's the most underrated player. The Pacers have the second-best record in one-possession games."
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"That is not because of your bench; that is your point guard. That is your facilitator, that's a Haliburton-stat. He's the most trustable guy to tie or take the lead in the league. You're telling me he's the most overrated player? It's becoming so obvious why this machine in Indiana works. The Pacers work because of 'Holy Hal,'" he added.
Related: "We could've won seven, we could've won eight, or we could've won nine, the LeBron thing" - MJ took a shot at LeBron when discussing how many titles would Chicago won if the 1998 team never broke up
Tyrese cannot be counted out
Statistically, Hali's numbers have taken a slight dip this season. The 6'5" guard averaged lower totals in points, rebounds, and assists compared to last year. His postseason scoring is also slightly down, from 18.6 points in the regular season to 18.4 in the playoffs.
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However, the numbers do not reflect his confidence and composure in the key moments. His leadership is a major reason why the Pacers are on the brink of a second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance, now with a legitimate belief they can push all the way to their first NBA Finals in over two decades.
There is no denying that the Pacers' identity is built on team play. With no top-10 players on their roster, multiple players rise to the occasion to drop points in double digits, but it is Tyrese who remains their X-factor.
Related: "It will probably follow me until the next poll comes out" - Tyrese Haliburton on the Cleveland fans chanting "Overrated" in Game 2
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