Tyrese Haliburton Eyes All-NBA Honor Amid Pacers’ Playoff Push

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As the NBA season approaches its conclusion, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton finds himself in serious contention for another All-NBA selection as he leads his team through a successful stretch.

Since the All-Star break, Haliburton has been phenomenal, racking up 201 assists in just 18 games, with only 20 turnovers to achieve an exceptional assist-to-turnover ratio of 10.1. His performance has been a driving force behind the Pacers, who have won 13 of those games, boosting them towards a favorable position as they near playoff time.

“He’s been able to thrive, especially in this system, his fast pace,” said Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. “The more and more he plays, the better and better he gets.”

Haliburton’s prowess as a playmaker was evident as he led the league in assists per game during the 2023-24 season. Notably, every player ranked behind him in that category averaged more turnovers. His scoring has also significantly contributed to his team’s success, asserting him as a key asset in the Pacers’ offensive strategy.

Each game in Haliburton’s recent stretch has showcased his ability to score and create opportunities for teammates, with the Pacers enjoying an impressive 126.8 offensive rating when he is on the court. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised Haliburton, stating, “He makes a big difference for us, obviously. Offensively, our spacing is enhanced.”

Despite a rocky start to the 2024-25 season that initially overshadowed his talents, Haliburton’s recent performance has reignited discussions about his place in the All-NBA rankings. His strong finish to the regular season could solidify his chances for a prestigious selection, a feat he achieved last year.

Statistical measures paint a bright picture for Haliburton’s candidacy. He ranks among the top players in the league with notable scores in advanced metrics, including a top-seven position in Basketball Reference’s Box Plus-Minus. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, positioning him as a frontrunner for recognition as the Pacers aim for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Additionally, achieving another All-NBA nod holds significant implications for Haliburton’s future financial opportunities. As he completed his rookie-scale contract with the Pacers, he is set for potential supermax eligibility, contingent on his All-NBA selections. Such a contract, known as a Designated Veteran Player Extension (DVPE), would provide a starting salary of 35% of the salary cap should he meet certain league award criteria.

Currently, to qualify for this extension with Indiana, Haliburton needs to be named to an All-NBA team in at least two of the last three seasons, which enhances his motivation as the season wraps up. His future with the Pacers could hinge on his performance in these concluding games.

At just 25 years old, Haliburton’s accomplishments reflect not only his abilities on the court but his potential for a storied career in the NBA. As he recently broke the record for the most games scoring 20 points and 10 assists without turnovers, surpassing Hall of Famer Chris Paul, Haliburton continues to build a legacy.

“He’s on third-team All-NBA for me right now on the ballot that I don’t have,” an anonymous source mentioned about Haliburton’s candidacy. “He’s played even above that for quite a bit of the season now.”

As the Pacers prepare for their upcoming playoff journey, all eyes will be on Haliburton as he aims to maintain peak performance. With aspirations of surpassing previous achievements, he looks to solidify his status as one of the elite point guards in the league while helping elevate his team to newfound success.