Tyrese Haliburton pulled off one of his signature step-back jumpers. He had the space. He had the timing. The shot fell, electrifying the crowd and lighting up Madison Square Garden. Haliburton turned to Pacers legend Reggie Miller, mimicking Miller’s infamous “choke” gesture. For a moment, it felt like a perfect ending. But the replay told another story. His foot grazed the line. The game wasn’t over. Still, Haliburton’s late-game heroics set the tone. Indiana sealed the win in overtime, and Miller nodded across the court in approval. A silent torch had been passed.
How Team USA Humbled Tyrese Haliburton—And Fueled His Comeback
“Really cool he was in the building for that,” Haliburton said afterward. That shot wasn’t even his first game-winner of the postseason. He had already delivered clutch moments, trolling Knicks fans just like Miller once did. Even off the court, he echoed that spirit, wearing a hoodie of Miller’s iconic Spike Lee taunt to a postgame presser. This has been a complete 180° for Tyrese Haliburton in the playoffs after a slow start, likely caused by his time with Team USA at the Olympics.
The Team’s DNA Mirrors Haliburton’s Fire
Indiana’s ball movement, swagger, and poise in the clutch all stem from Haliburton. Teammate Myles Turner put it simply: “Ultimate self-confidence.” In the Eastern Conference Finals, Haliburton isn’t just playing—he’s leading.
Haliburton has hit 12 of 14 clutch shots heading into game 2 this season in the final two minutes. That’s an incredible 86%, the best mark since 1996-97. Yet this same player faced deep mental and emotional hurdles earlier in the year. The same drive that fuels him also weighs him down.
Team USA’s Benching Tyrese Haliburton Changed Everything
Last summer, Haliburton joined Team USA. It should’ve been a career highlight. Instead, it barely registered. He logged just 26 minutes. He sat out both the semifinal and final. For someone used to starring, this was humbling.
“It was an ego check,” Haliburton admitted. His Team USA experience left him reeling. He joked about it publicly—posting his medal and poking fun at himself. But underneath, he felt embarrassed. The lack of playing time stung. The Team USA stint for Haliburton was supposed to be a leap forward, not a bench-warming episode.
He went into the season fired up. “I’m going to get back at y’all,” he thought. But the reality didn’t match the energy. He had rehabbed a hamstring injury all summer. He skipped his normal offseason workouts. The result? He started slow.
By the All-Star break, his numbers dipped. He missed the All-Star Game. The impact of Team USA impact—physical and mental—still lingered on Haliburton
Resetting Off the Court to Regain Control
As his peers traveled to San Francisco for All-Star Weekend, Haliburton flew to Playa Del Carmen. He brought a book. Haliburton needed a break from basketball. He also started working with the Pacers’ mental health team.
“Having all those expectations, I didn’t handle them the right way,” Haliburton said. “I had to just be honest with myself.” That honesty sparked change.
In the final 21 regular season games, he came alive. He averaged 20.6 points and 11 assists while shooting 53%. The Pacers surged to a No. 4 seed, winning 16 games in that stretch. Haliburton had transformed his Team USA humbling into fuel.
A Bruised Ego Now Drives a Fierce Competitor
Haliburton doesn’t run from doubt. He embraces it. Whether it’s fans trash-talking in the Garden or being benched on the world stage, he responds.
The Team USA benching didn’t break Haliburton—it recalibrated him. He turned embarrassment into fire. Haliburton found help. He came back stronger.
And now, in the heart of the playoffs, he’s showing why he never needed Team USA to define him.
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