Tyrese Haliburton expressed excitement about reaching the NBA Finals for the first time, calling it a special moment he has dreamed of his whole life. He said, “I’m just taking it all in, soaking it all in, and really excited for this moment.”
Haliburton also described the unusual travel experience before arriving at the Finals, explaining that a plane diversion due to a tornado in Tulsa made for a long day. “We landed and I was ready to get up, and they said we were in Tulsa. We sat there for another like hour, then we took off again,” he said. “There’s worse problems in life. We’ll be fine.”
When asked about facing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP, Haliburton acknowledged the challenge ahead. “He’s an amazing player—the MVP of our league rightfully so, for a reason,” Haliburton said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge of competing against him and this whole group.”
Haliburton described the balance of playing point guard as a continuous learning process. “I’m at my best when I’m obviously more aggressive, but every game calls for something different,” he said. “There’s no right or wrong answer, and I think the best thing to do is just learn from experience.”
The Pacers star also addressed his relationship with his father amid recent controversy. “He means the world to me. He’s been my biggest fan my whole life,” Haliburton said. “I think the commentary around my dad got a little ridiculous… He was wrong, and that is what it is. He’s learned from it, and it won’t happen again.”
On the defensive prowess of Alex Caruso, Haliburton praised his high basketball IQ and willingness to sacrifice. “He seems like he’s always in the right spots,” Haliburton said. “He’s just willing to put his body in so many different places and do whatever it takes to win.”
Fuel from doubters remains a motivator for Haliburton. “I’ve never stopped. It’ll never stop,” he said. “Any doubt is always good for me. I love to hear that stuff.”
Looking ahead at the Finals, Haliburton recognized the Thunder as a formidable opponent. “They’re a great team… well-coached. There’s no shortcuts to beating this team,” he said. “We know the odds are stacked against us, but it is what it is. We want to play against the best.”
Finally, Haliburton reflected on the small-market feel of Indianapolis, sharing his comfort with the city. “I love being in Indy. It’s been a great place for me,” he said. “I don’t need the glitz and glamour of a large city. I really like the hometown, small-town feel from our fans.”
