Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

nba

Still Not a ‘Night-In, Night-Out’ Superstar – NBA Analyst Suggests Tyrese Haliburton Not Yet a Superstar Despite NBA Finals Game-Winner

Akash Vaishnav

Last updated: June 7, 2025

2 min read

NBA Analyst insists Haliburton still not a “night-in, night-out” superstar after Game 1 heroics

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton rose to the moment in the 2025 NBA Finals opener, overcoming a tough night to deliver when it mattered most. He produced a game winning shot that sealed the deal for the Indiana Pacers. However, there are analysts that still have doubts about his superstar status.

Haliburton had a cold night throughout the game with 15 points and shot 6-of-13 from the field. He connected on just 2-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc. Fans brushed off the cold performance as it was him who produced the fade away two pointer shot to win the game by 111-110.

Every shot from Tyrese Haliburton to tie or take the lead in the last 2 minutes this season pic.twitter.com/NS5PhfObi7
— Pitless (@pitlessball) June 6, 2025

However, NBA analyst Stephen Smith raised doubts on the overall game of Tyrese Haliburton, denying him the superstar tag. Smith said, “We know what he’s doing in clutch moments, I’m saying to y’all I watch the entire 48 minutes. When I judge and I think about a superstar, I’m thinking about the number one option on a night in, night out basis that’s having to carry a certain load that others don’t normally carry.”

Smith further elaborated, “You think about {Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry}, the obligations that fall on their shoulders and the night-in, night-out level of production they exhibit comes into play. That’s not to take anything away from Haliburton. The brother’s a young rising star, and you know that when it’s clutch time, you could put the ball in his hands and he’ll find a way.“

NBA’s Newest Clutch Time Assassin Emerges

Though Tyrese Haliburton’s superstar status might be in question due to his overall game performance, his clutch gene is far from doubtful. The 25-year-old etched himself in a legendary list of clutch players after his recent game winner.

Tyrese Haliburton equalled Reggie Miller’s record for the most go-ahead or game-tying field goals in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime, tracked since the 1997 Playoffs. Reggie Miller has five clutch shots to his name in NBA Playoffs history which Haliburton also achieved on Thursday.

Only Lakers legend LeBron James remains ahead of Haliburton having eight clutch moments to his name. This season may have positioned Tyrese Haliburton as the league’s premier clutch performer.

Indiana Pacers

NBA Finals

NBA Finals 2025

Stephen A. Smith

Tyrese Haliburton

Akash Vaishnav

nba

wnba

I cover NBA at the Playoffs. I specialize in covering breaking news, Previews, in in-depth analysis (breaking down numbers, complex stats, nuances of the game, and converting them into reader-friendly content). Furthermore, I got into the sports media while looking for an entry into the media industry. I love International Relations, and since entry without majoring in the subject was difficult, I got into sports. Now, while majoring in International Relations on one side, I also like covering sports as part of the journey as a young Journalist.