Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton continues to shed 'overrated' label with clutch performances

"There was no chance I was passing [the ball] down the line. This is what I do, and I just tried to make a big play," Haliburton told TNT Sports. 

Indiana trailed by as many as 20 points in Game 2 and by seven with 48 seconds left. But, when it mattered most, Haliburton delivered for his team in the clutch, a recurring theme this postseason.

Since 1997-98, playoff teams trailing by at least seven points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime have won only three of 1,643 games, per ESPN. Remarkably, the Pacers account for two of those victories in their last three contests.

"We just have a resilient group, man," said Haliburton, who finished with 19 points and four assists. "We just figure out ways to win. We don't give up. We're battle-tested as a group. We've basically been together for about two years now and that continuity has been really good for us."

After splashing the game-winning shot, Haliburton broke out Sam Cassell’s banned “Big Balls” celebration—the kind that earns you a hefty fine from the league but a standing ovation from teammates and fans alike.

“I’ve been waiting for that, man,” Haliburton said postgame. “It was just right in the moment. I’ll take that fine gladly.”

While the "overrated" label will likely follow Haliburton until the next poll, it has already lost validity. Under the bright lights of the NBA playoffs, the 6-foot-5 guard has repeatedly prevailed over his superstar peers.

During the Round 1 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton averaged a double-double and in Game 5, sprinted by former DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo for the series-clinching basket in overtime. 

Through two games against Cleveland, the Iowa State product continued to thrive in clutch situations.

According to The Volume's Carson Breber, Haliburton is now 10-of-11 on shots to tie or take the lead in the last two minutes this season.

Now, after leaping out to a 2-0 series lead, Haliburton and the Pacers head back to Indiana in search of a series sweep.