Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers head into Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 2-0 lead. After stunning the Cavaliers on their home floor, Haliburton reflects on the team’s mindset heading into their pivotal matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
When asked about the status of his wrist injury, which has been sore, Haliburton assured reporters, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll be fine for the game. So, I’m all good.” His commitment to playing through discomfort has been a constant theme during this postseason run.
Haliburton also shared his thoughts on the common playoff narrative that the game tends to slow down in the postseason. He disagrees with the idea that this slows down their pace. “I think our identity is how fast we play,” said Haliburton. “We talk about playing with controlled chaos. We’re not only fast in transition, our half-court offense is fast as well.” Despite the playoff pressure, Haliburton believes the Pacers can maintain their uptempo style and remain effective.
The Pacers’ performance in Game 2 was a testament to their resilience. After trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, Indiana mounted a late-game comeback. Haliburton, who scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, sealed the win with a clutch 3-pointer with just 1.1 seconds remaining. The Pacers’ late-game surge was a critical moment in the series.
However, Haliburton is cautious and refuses to get ahead of himself. “The series isn’t over. Far from over,” he emphasized, acknowledging that Cleveland will bring a high level of desperation in Game 3. “We’re going to see a desperate team, a team who’s coming in here to win two games and get home with a 2-2 tie,” he said.
For the Pacers, securing a win on their home court is crucial. Haliburton highlighted the importance of staying focused and treating the next game with the same intensity. “We should be just as desperate to protect home court,” he stated.
The depth of the Pacers’ roster has been a significant factor in their success. Haliburton spoke highly of his teammates, noting how their bench contributes to their pressure defense and relentless style of play. “We don’t change the way we play when a guy is out,” Haliburton said, acknowledging the role of players like TJ McConnell, Ben Mathurin, and Aaron Nesmith in maintaining a high level of play.
As the Pacers head into Game 3, Haliburton remains focused on the team’s collective goal. He understands the spotlight is on him but remains grounded. “At the end of the day, this is a team sport, and we win together,” he reflected.
