Tyrese Haliburton Responds to Criticism After Tough Game 5 Performance
Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton faced criticism following his lackluster performance in the team’s 111-94 blowout loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5.
The Pacers, leading the series 3-1, had the chance to close out New York and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, but fell short on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
In his 31 minutes on the floor, Haliburton struggled against the defensive pressure of All-Defensive Team selection Mikal Bridges. As a result, he scored just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting (0-of-2 from three) and made 4-of-5 free throws. He also recorded six assists, two rebounds, two steals, one block, and posted a poor -23 plus-minus rating.
Haliburton admitted his performance wasn’t up to his usual standards, acknowledging his mistakes during a conversation with The Indianapolis Star‘s Dustin Dopirak.
“Yeah, rough night for me. I gotta do a better job of getting downhill,” Haliburton said. “I feel like I could’ve done a lot better, so put that on me.”
This performance contrasted sharply with Game 4, where Haliburton recorded an impressive 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double without committing a turnover.
Despite his struggles in Game 5, Haliburton continues to put up solid numbers in the series, averaging 21.0 points, 10.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 steals while shooting .440 from the field, .318 from three, and .810 from the free-throw line.
Haliburton’s inconsistent scoring reflects his tendency to prioritize playmaking over scoring. While he’s known for his ability to create opportunities for teammates and deliver in clutch moments, he’s often reluctant to take over the offense himself—especially with so many capable shooters around him. However, with the Knicks locking down defensively, Haliburton may need to be more aggressive in looking for his own offense as the series moves forward.
Game 6 is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will air on TNT and TruTV and will be available for streaming on HBO Max.
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