Tyrese Haliburton’s Remarkable Post-All-Star Performance
INDIANAPOLIS – Since the NBA All-Star break, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers has been on a historic performance streak that’s hard to ignore.
As a 2024 Gold Medalist, Haliburton has excelled in his 18 games since taking a break, racking up 201 assists while committing just 20 turnovers, resulting in a 10.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. This achievement makes him the second player in NBA history (after Muggsy Bogues) to achieve 200+ assists and 20 or fewer turnovers in an 18-game span. Consequently, the Pacers have thrived, boasting a record of 13-5 during this period.
“He’s been able to thrive, especially in this system, with his fast pace,” said Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James regarding Haliburton’s impact. “The more he plays, the better he gets.”
Haliburton’s exceptional ability to pass the ball without committing turnovers has always set him apart. For instance, in the 2023-24 season, he led the league in assists, and none of the players directly behind him had the same low turnover rate. In his recent 18-game run, Haliburton’s scoring ability outshines Bogues, who managed only 139 points in a similar sample; Haliburton has reached 379 points in his streak. The Pacers have recorded an impressive offensive rating of 126.8 with him on the court during this time.
“He makes a significant difference for us,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle expressed last month. “Our spacing is improved, and his skill set adds a critical dimension to our offense.” Haliburton’s remarkable performance has placed him in discussions for All-NBA honors as he has turned his season around since mid-February. Indiana is nearing a home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference playoffs largely due to his transformative contributions on offense.
Analyzing Haliburton’s All-NBA Case
Haliburton’s All-NBA candidacy is supported by not only his impressive statistics but also his integral role in defining the Pacers’ distinct style of play. They aim to play quickly, make more passes, and create high-quality shots because of his exceptional playmaking ability, all while being one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
His statistical performance speaks volumes; only Nikola Jokic and Trae Young have recorded more assists per game than Haliburton, who is also ranked in the top 50 for scoring and three-point shooting percentage. Advanced metrics reflect his value, placing him seventh in Basketball Reference’s Box Plus-Minus and eighth in ESPN’s Net Points.
