Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton Channels Patrick Mahomes in Pacers’ Dominant Playoff Victory

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers are on the verge of reaching NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. To start off, the Pacers’ biggest “it” factor has been head coach Rick Carlisle’s coaching and adjustments against the Knicks. He has simply been outcoaching Tom Thibodeau, and it is clearly visible on the court. Whether it’s the turnovers, points off turnovers, bench points, 10-man rotation, Carlisle has outsmarted everything the Knicks have throw his way, and with that the Pacers are up 3-1 in this series. However, as great as the entire Pacers’ rotation has been, none of this would have been possible with Tyrese Haliburton’s contribution as he is playing like a superstar in the making, so far.

Haliburton’s playmaking, and shot making has been a problem for the Knicks and so far they’ve had no answers for him. Even if Haliburton is having an off shooting night, he makes up for it by making his teammates better, throwing out assists and hitting his open men to hit those critical shots. Another one of Hali’s underrated aspects so far in the playoffs has been the clutch shots he’s hitting in every series so far. He has somehow found a way to knockdown almost all of his game-tying, or go-ahead baskets, and the Bucks, Cavs, or the Knicks had no answers for him.

TYRESE MF HALIBURTON NO WAY

pic.twitter.com/Y7L8O2alte
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 22, 2025

Haliburton is doing something special this season, and even though the Pacers were the underdogs through the playoffs, except for perhaps the Bucks series, they have simply looked like the best team in the Eastern Conference so far, and if they advance to the NBA Finals, we wonder if they can also take down the best team this season in the NBA (looking at the regular season), the Oklahoma City Thunder, who just finished the Timberwolves in 5 games.

Also Read: Magic Johnson Publicly Apologizes For Underestimating Thunder As They Advance to NBA Finals

Tyrese Haliburton’s Mahomes-Like Mastery in Pacers’ Playoff Rout

Tyrese Haliburton snatched away the New York Knicks’ soul away in Game 4, as not only are the Pacers ahead 3-1 in this series, but he also finished with a 32-point triple-double performance, posting 15 assists, and 12 boards. As impressive as that might be, what stands out the most is the fact that he finished with zero turnovers, which is something we rarely see especially when it comes to point guards, who are turnover prone. Haliburton is the first player in the history of the NBA, to finish a game with at least 30 points and 15 assists, without committing a turnover in a playoff game.

Tyrese Haliburton is the first player in NBA history to drop 30/15/10 with 0 turnovers in a playoff game.

THE DIFFERENCE. pic.twitter.com/lqRJu2c9iO
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 28, 2025

His play has drawn comparisons to NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who is widely considered as the league’s best quarterback currently, despite coming off of a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Haliburton dropped 15 assists last game without a turnover, which is the same as throwing for 444 passing yards, without a single interception (the NFL’s version of turnovers). According to a post from @crumpledjumper on X, Haliburton’s 77 passes and 444 passing yards, with no turnovers, will rank him third, only behind Tom Brady, and Drew Brees, who are some of the best QBs to ever play in the NFL.

Tyrese Haliburton threw 77 passes for 444 yards last night – without a single interception. pic.twitter.com/JML07rTU1d
— Todd Whitehead (@CrumpledJumper) May 28, 2025

Haliburton has been a game changing force for the Pacers and they are only a win away from going to the NBA Finals to face this season’s MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Out of all the series that the Thunder have played so far, we believe that the Pacers actually match the Thunder in terms of talent as both the teams are extremely deep, led by their point guards, SGA and Haliburton.

Also Read: Miami Heat Eye Four-Time All-Star as Dream Trade Target

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.