In today`s NBA, where the player designated as the `point guard` is often primarily their team`s top scorer, Tyrese Haliburton stands out as a nod to the position`s classic definition. He embodies the ultimate pass-first mentality, so much so that he distributed the ball more times (5,453) than any other player across the league this season.
Haliburton`s exceptional court vision and his knack for creating opportunities for teammates are nearly unparalleled. Throughout his three full seasons with the Pacers, he has consistently ranked no lower than third in the league for assists. This past season, only Trae Young and Nikola Jokić generated more points directly from their assists than Haliburton.
The interesting contradiction is that despite Haliburton`s brilliance as a facilitator, the Pacers demonstrate significantly better performance when he actively seeks out his own scoring chances. This aggressive scoring approach was notably absent in the team`s significant loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, where he managed only five points on seven shot attempts through the first three quarters.
Following that defeat, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle commented that basketball encompasses more than just scoring and that observers shouldn`t solely focus on Haliburton`s points and assists totals. However, he also stressed that every player needed to contribute more, indicating that this started with Haliburton himself.
Haliburton seemingly took his coach`s message to heart.
In the Pacers` 116-107 triumph in Game 3 on Wednesday, Haliburton delivered his most complete performance of the Finals to date: registering 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. He shot efficiently, hitting 9 of 17 field goals, including 4 of 8 from three-point range.
“Terrific,” is how Carlisle described Haliburton`s effort. “I felt his approach tonight was precisely what was required: a synthesis of spatial awareness and assertive play. He had a really good sense for when to be aggressive in scoring and when to involve his teammates at the opportune moments. He was terrific.”
Although it took almost six minutes into Game 3 for Haliburton to take his first shot, his altered mindset was evident from the game`s initial possession.
After receiving a handoff from Andrew Nembhard, Haliburton dribbled towards a high screen set by Myles Turner, finding himself open near the top of the key, albeit well behind the three-point arc. He executed a pump fake, drawing a jump from Luguentz Dort, who had been pressuring him throughout the series. Haliburton then passed to Turner, immediately sprinted into another handoff, took the ball back, and drove towards the basket as Dort attempted to recover. Haliburton drew multiple defenders, creating what should have been an open corner three for Nembhard. Only an exceptional defensive recovery by Cason Wallace prevented the shot.
While Haliburton didn`t score on the play, and the Pacers didn`t get points, it was a successful possession because it demonstrated the potential that his aggressive approach could unlock for the offense.
His first assist followed a similar pattern. Haliburton quickly moved into a handoff with Obi Toppin and pulled up as if preparing for a mid-range jumper, drawing several Thunder defenders. While in mid-air, he instead delivered the pass to Ben Sheppard, allowing the second-year guard to use a pump fake to create a wide-open 15-footer.
In fact, Haliburton had multiple assists throughout the game where he initiated a jump, simulating a shot attempt, only to pass to an open teammate after the defense committed to him.
Throughout the entire game, his readiness to seek his own offensive opportunities when available consistently led to productive possessions for the Pacers. He comfortably took floaters when he penetrated the defense`s middle and didn`t hesitate to shoot threes when the Thunder defenders went under screens – notably sinking a crucial three-pointer with 6:42 left that gave the Pacers a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game.
“There were adjustments that needed to be made coming into today for me, and I believe I executed them better,” Haliburton commented. “I watched film again to see where I can further improve. I`m never going to be consistently great at taking a high volume of shots every game. There will be games where I don`t, and I must be able to find the appropriate balance between scoring and passing. But ultimately, I think experience is the best teacher for learning this.”
The Pacers don`t require Haliburton to suddenly become a high-volume shooter akin to 2006 Kobe Bryant, but the statistical data is clear: the more Haliburton shoots, the more frequently they secure victories.
In the playoffs, the Pacers now hold a 9-1 record when Haliburton attempts at least 15 shots, compared to a 5-4 record when he takes fewer than 15 shots. This same correlation was observed during the regular season. The Pacers finished with a 24-9 record when Haliburton attempted 15 or more shots and a 22-18 record when his attempts were below that threshold.
Interestingly, Haliburton`s assist numbers tend to increase in parallel with his field goal attempts. During the current playoffs, he is averaging 11 assists in games where he takes 15 or more shots, versus 7.7 assists in games where he attempts fewer than 15 shots.
Haliburton`s primary instinct will always be to pass the ball and engage his teammates. However, the paradox is that facilitating becomes easier for him precisely when the opposing defense is concerned he might choose to shoot instead.
Jasper Hawthorne