Shaq confronts ‘overrated’ Tyrese Haliburton allegation after Pacers’ Game 2 win

Haliburton seems to play his best when people doubt him. His production soared after Tim Hardaway Sr. said he would want to go after him on the court if he was playing today. Since several of his peers voted him as the most overrated talent in the league, the 2024 All-NBA Third-Team selection has now vaulted Indiana to two crucial playoff victories. The man thrives on skepticism, which works perfectly for the determined Pacers.

The Cavs were missing offensively potent guard Darius Garland, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and impressive two-way wing De’Andre Hunter for Game 2, but they still outplayed their opponent for much of the contest. Indy only needs a crack, however. Down by as many as 20 points and trailing 119-112 with 47.2 seconds left on the clock, Rick Carlisle’s squad simply refused defeat. And the Cavaliers obliged.

The Pacers came back from the dead

Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam help cut the deficit to one possession and Tyrese Haliburton finished off the comeback in grand fashion. However, before he exhilarated fans with his clutch play, the 25-year-old made a potentially costly mistake– he missed a free throw. But the Pacers are hard to keep down. Myles Turner tipped the ball and Halliburton recovered it. The rest is history, or at least it will be if Indiana can build on its 2-0 series lead and vanquish the Cavs.

The polarizing athlete’s Game 2 effort is not confined to his epic shot, though. He recorded 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting with nine rebounds, four assists and one block. People will look around and justly hand out praise to leading scorers Turner and Nesmith, who each dropped 23 points. They will shout out the 13 assists Andrew Nembhard dished out. And they will continue to highlight the impact Bennedict Mathurin provides off the bench. Of course, there is also Siakam, the man who was the team’s top player for most of the 2024-25 campaign.

One cannot dispute the Pacers’ depth and girt. Haliburton is the motor that drives them forward, however. Shaq recognizes it, and many others will have no choice but to as well.