Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

NBA Legend Dwyane Wade Makes Strong Tyrese Haliburton Statement After Pacers-Thunder

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 2:33 PM ET

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton turned the basketball world upside down once again on Thursday, nailing a 21-foot 3-point jump shot to take the lead with 0.3 seconds remaining to complete another miraculous comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

While Haliburton has been the subject of some apparently unfair debates about his superstar status, NBA legend and former Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade made it clear where he stands on the issue.

“Haliburton is a f***** superstar. I’m going to get a jersey. I need it signed.” @DwyaneWade reflects on the Pacers 4th Quarter comeback and Haliburton’s game winner in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/2fHiltyk5c
— Wy Network by Dwyane Wade (@wynetwork) June 6, 2025

"Haliburton is a (expletive) superstar," Wade said. "First of all, this is one of the greatest games I've watched as a fan. Haliburton is a (expletive) superstar. Like, it ain't no question no more. I don't think you understand when you're out of rhythm and you're struggling...to take that shot, and to make that shot, he's a cold (expletive)."

Wade also said that another NBA legend in particular may be calling Haliburton to give his congratulations, especially considering some very relevant historical parallels.

WHAT THE HALIBURTON AGAIN

TYRESE WINS GAME 1 OF THE NBA FINALS FOR THE PACERS pic.twitter.com/TLv6OtQyWV
— ESPN (@espn) June 6, 2025

"Allen Iverson will call him, and probably say, you're a cold (expletive)," Wade added. "In the Finals? Everybody who's played basketball, if you've ever picked up a basketball, you've always dreamed of hitting a game winner in the biggest game of your life. You just hit a game winner in the Finals. Game 1, on the road. Y'all better stop playing with Haliburton."

Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for around 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on ABC from the PayCom Center in Oklahoma City.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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