How Tyrese Haliburton Has Been Mr. Clutch For Pacers This Season

Haliburton’s Track Record In The Clutch This Season

Indiana is no stranger to clutch moments with the theater of Reggie Miller in years past, but it’s been a while since those glory years.

You can call this a bit of a Miller impersonation, though, since six of Haliburton’s 10 clutch field goal makes have been 3-pointers. That gives him a mind-boggling 118.2 effective field goal percentage!

The Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have all fallen victim. Three of Haliburton’s clutch shots have come against the Bucks, with the latest one against the Cavs.

What’s stood out about these plays?

Beyond a fearless approach, no preferred or go-to move is evident for Haliburton. Across these 10 made shots, he’s gone left, he’s gone right, he’s driven to the basket and he’s pulled up.

If there’s one thing to take away it’s that seven of the 11 field goal attempts have been threes. Opposing defenders seem so afraid of his ability to break them down off the bounce that Haliburton uses it to create room for a jumper.

His herky-jerky style is so difficult to predict while his ability to recognize what the defense gives him is elite. In watching these plays, you see someone who recognizes the split-second when defense hasn’t been executed to perfection and punishes opponents with sheer ruthlessness.

Why Hasn’t Haliburton Gotten More Credit For His Clutch Heroics?

Looking back on the regular season games, it’s easier to see why Haliburton didn’t get the deserved credit.

Sports is a results-oriented business and each of his game-tying threes against the Sixers and Magic came in losing efforts. Against the Boston Celtics on national television, Haliburton air-balled a three at the buzzer to win the game.

His step-back three in a win over the Jazz only counts for so much when it’s a tanking team. His midrange pull-up against the Heat also came in a loss. A driving runner matched up against Luka Doncic and the Lakers was overshadowed by LeBron James’ game-winning tip-in at the buzzer.

The most memorable shot Haliburton hit in the clutch during the regular season was against those very Bucks. It was a sensational running three along the corner as Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled him to make it a four-point play.

So, that’s four of his seven regular season makes occurring in losses and another that came in an early February win over the tanking Jazz. He deserves all the credit in the world for being clutch, but that extra wow factor only comes in wins.

As we’re seeing right now with the big shots he’s made in the postseason, winning is garnering all the attention his clutch gene deserves.

Overrate Haliburton at your own peril.