Tyrese Haliburton’s celebration after hitting a step-back 3-pointer late in the second quarter on Monday wasn’t quite the usual showstopper. Unlike his iconic, viral moments from last season, where he confidently strutted down the court after huge shots against the Hawks and Pistons, this time, his celebration was more subdued. As he made his way back down the court, his head hung low, and his movements were more of a jump with a scissor kick, legs crossing in the air. It wasn’t the swaggering, arms-out routine that’s become part of his highlight reel; rather, it was a subtle sign that something was shifting.
It was clear that Haliburton was trying to signal something to the Pacers’ faithful—a message of resilience. While his body language wasn’t as exuberant as usual, it felt like he was telling the fans, "I’m going to be okay." Maybe he wouldn’t be the same player he was before the rough start to the season, a start that often left him looking like a shadow of the player who earned All-NBA honors the previous year. But perhaps, just maybe, this tough stretch would make him stronger, ready to rise even higher than before.
That step-back 3-pointer wasn’t just another made basket; it was a glimpse into the emerging Haliburton. By the time the game ended, he had nailed nine 3-pointers—his second-highest single-game total—and finished with an impressive 34 points and 13 assists. In fact, he contributed directly to 64 of the Pacers' 114 points in their hard-fought 114-110 win over the Pelicans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was a crucial victory, snapping a three-game losing streak and improving the Pacers’ record to 8-10.
But while his performance against the Pelicans was stellar, it wasn’t his best of the season. That honor went to the game against the Knicks on November 10, where he dropped 35 points and dished out 14 assists while shooting a much more efficient 11-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. Even though he was more efficient in that contest, Monday’s win against the Pelicans had a different feel. It was about confidence. Haliburton was the clear go-to guy for the Pacers when the game was on the line, and he delivered—his 12-of-23 shooting and 9-of-18 from three were clear signs of his growing trust in his abilities and his team’s reliance on him.
“I don’t care about my individual performance as long as we’re winning,” Haliburton said after the game. His words reflected a mindset rooted in the team-first mentality that defines his approach. Even though he’d been frustrated with his own performance earlier in the season—especially after some of the Pacers’ disappointing losses—winning was always his priority. His game had struggled early in the year, and he felt the weight of missed opportunities. "If I was myself, we would be winning," he admitted, reflecting the pressure he felt during their rough patches.
Indeed, the 2024 season had been a tough one for Haliburton. Although he had moments of brilliance, like a game-winning 3-pointer against the Pistons on opening night, his overall shooting was off. He struggled mightily with his outside shot, a weapon that had been one of his strongest tools in the past. As a 40% 3-point shooter last season, Haliburton had been a constant threat from beyond the arc, forcing defenses to spread out, which opened up opportunities for his playmaking and driving game. But this season, he found himself struggling to get the ball to fall, a situation that compounded the Pacers’ difficulties.
His shooting woes were particularly evident in some of their early-season losses. Against the Knicks, he went scoreless in a brutal performance, missing all eight of his shots, including seven from deep. Things didn’t get much better as the season went on. In losses to New Orleans, Charlotte, and Orlando, Haliburton looked out of sync, and his 3-point shooting continued to lag behind. Then came the Pacers’ three-game road trip, where Haliburton went 6-of-25 from the field, including a dismal 3-of-14 from beyond the arc, in losses to Toronto and Houston.
By the time the Pacers reached Milwaukee for a Friday game against the Bucks, Haliburton’s confidence was at a low. In front of dozens of friends and family, including many from his hometown of Oshkosh, Wis., he struggled to find his rhythm, missing all four of his 3-point attempts in the first half. But the second half saw a turnaround, with Haliburton hitting 4 of his next 6 attempts from deep. Still, after the Pacers lost 129-117, Haliburton couldn’t shake his frustration.
Reflecting on his struggles, he admitted that it was hard to maintain joy for the game when his shot wasn’t falling and the losses were piling up. “I think it’s about keeping that joy,” Haliburton explained. “Everybody tells you to have fun, but it’s hard when you’re not playing well. I’ve always had a love and appreciation for basketball, but I got caught up in frustration.” Yet, even in the face of adversity, he found strength in his teammates, coaching staff, and faith, slowly realizing that staying grounded was key to overcoming this rough patch.
Haliburton’s turnaround began to take shape after a strong performance in a win over the Wizards on Sunday. With 21 points, 9 assists, and solid shooting (7-of-18 from the floor, 5-of-11 from three), he appeared to regain some confidence. And then, on Monday, in the back-to-back game against the Pelicans, he took it a step further. His shooting stats were promising—47.9% from the field and a sizzling 51.4% from three over the past few games—after a period of frustratingly low numbers. It was clear that Haliburton was finding his way back to the player we saw last season.
Though it’s worth noting that the wins came against teams with subpar records, Haliburton understood that he couldn’t let previous struggles dictate his performance. “I’ve been told my whole life to control what I can,” he said. "I can’t control if the ball goes in every time, but I can control my body language, my energy, and my effort."
Haliburton knows this tough stretch will eventually be behind him. “I know that when I get past this, I’m going to look back and laugh at how this all went down,” he said. For now, it’s about staying true to himself, trusting the process, and not letting his past struggles define him. With the support of his teammates and his own resilience, it’s clear that Haliburton has the potential to come out stronger than ever.
Tyrese Haliburton’s journey this season is a reminder that success isn’t always linear. Even the brightest stars face setbacks, but with the right mindset, they can overcome them and come out even more determined to shine. For Haliburton, this chapter of his career will only make his comeback that much sweeter.
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