Kendrick Perkins Was Off the Mark About Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers

Kendrick Perkins Was Off the Mark About Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers

Kendrick Perkins, former New Orleans Pelicans player and current analyst, was way off about the Indiana Pacers and their star, Tyrese Haliburton, as a resurfaced clip shows.

In the world of sports analysis, analysts aren’t necessarily rewarded for being right all the time. Predictions and bold opinions are part of the game, and while no one is perfect, some takes don’t exactly age well.

"I don't know if [Tyrese Haliburton] necessarily been putting in the work that he needs to put in." 😳 @KendrickPerkins wants to see more from Hali and the Indiana Pacers this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/7F9xzWlryF

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 30, 2024

Looking at the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s presence isn’t surprising, but the Indiana Pacers’ run to the finals definitely raised some eyebrows. Despite their strong performance the year before in the Eastern Conference Finals, other teams were getting more attention heading into the season. However, few were as dismissive of the Pacers as Kendrick Perkins, as highlighted in an old clip that resurfaced.

“I strongly believe that the Pacers are going to fall off like no limit,” Perkins said in a video shared on ESPN’s X account on October 30, 2024. Considering the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference, it was a bold prediction to say a team with two All-Star players wouldn’t make the playoffs. But Perkins didn’t stop there.

THE 2025 NBA FINALS ARE SET pic.twitter.com/mB8wx9gtmf

— Real Sports (@realapp_) June 1, 2025

“I don’t know if [Tyrese Haliburton] necessarily been putting in the work that he needs to put in,” Perkins added. He also suggested that Anthony Edwards gained more from his time with Team USA in the 2024 Olympics and that Haliburton wouldn’t perform well after getting paid. Now, it’s safe to say Perkins’ opinion hasn’t aged well.

Though securing a Finals win will be a tough challenge for Haliburton and the Pacers, as they face one of the most formidable teams in recent NBA history (the Thunder), it’s clear that Haliburton is still on a mission to prove doubters wrong.