About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, hosts Niko and Stella analyze Tyrese Haliburton's pivotal role in the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. They explore how Haliburton's unique playmaking style fits within Indiana's team-oriented 'ecosystem' offense amid tough defensive pressure from OKC's elite defenders led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Drawing from Howard Beck's detailed coverage at The Ringer, they discuss key moments from Game 2 and unpack whether Indiana’s collective approach can overcome challenges posed by an MVP-led opponent.
Article Discussed: "The Tyrese Haliburton Conundrum - The Ringer"
Author:
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/09/nba/tyrese-haliburton-indiana-pacers-nba-finals-2025-shooting
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Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome back to Podcasty NBA! Today we're diving into the NBA Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, focusing on Tyrese Haliburton's role in this intense series. Haliburton has been the biggest story of these playoffs and the emotional pulse of the Pacers, but can his style really carry Indiana past a tough Thunder defense?
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. We saw some incredible moments from Haliburton, like that wild three-pointer he hit late in Game 2 that cut the Thunder’s lead to 17 points. But despite those flashes, the Pacers lost 123-107 in that game. It raises big questions about whether Indiana's team-oriented approach can overcome a defense as elite as Oklahoma City's.
Niko: Right, Stella. The article points out that Haliburton scored 17 points in Game 2 but only managed five through the first three quarters while the Thunder built a big lead. His shooting was off early—just one for five in the first half—but he found his range later on. Still, turnovers were an issue with five in that game, making it his sloppiest performance this postseason.
Stella: And Coach Rick Carlisle was quick to defend him after the loss, emphasizing that basketball is more than just scoring or assists. He called their team an ecosystem where everyone has to function together. Carlisle also pointed out they needed more production from players like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner to support Haliburton.
Niko: That ecosystem concept is fascinating because it highlights how the Pacers rely on a high-paced, pass-heavy offense rather than a single dominant scorer. When it works well, it's devastating for opponents. But when it sputters—as we saw Sunday night—it leaves them vulnerable against teams like OKC with elite defenders constantly rotating and harassing Haliburton.
Stella: Exactly. The Thunder’s defense has been suffocating, with players like Lu Dort and Cason Wallace shadowing Haliburton closely and limiting his daylight on offense. Even though he had some deep threes late in Game 2 before defenders could react, overall he struggled to find consistent looks or create easy opportunities for his teammates.
Niko: "Me playing off the pitch a little bit more," Haliburton said about what helps him avoid heavy defensive pressure instead of relying on ball screens where OKC can pack the paint. He also admitted to some "really dumb turnovers" which shows he's aware of areas needing improvement under this playoff spotlight.
Stella: "The hot takes demanding Haliburton become some kind of Kobe Bryant clone are unfair," Carlisle noted indirectly by stressing their team's style doesn’t revolve around gaudy individual stats or usage rates. Haliburton averages just 18.6 points per game with a modest usage rate of 21.6%, showing he's more of a playmaker than volume scorer — more Jason Kidd or Steve Nash than James Harden."
Niko: "So to sum up," we have a star who's clutch and capable of miracles but not designed to dominate offensively every night against elite defenses like OKC's. The Pacers’ strength lies in their collective movement and contributions from all players — Siakam, Turner, Nembhard, Nesmith among others — creating an ecosystem rather than relying on one superstar’s scoring bursts."
Stella: "Yes," Niko, "and while Haliburton remains Indiana’s most vital player and emotional leader who can manifest those moments of magic, expecting him to suddenly morph into a traditional high-usage scorer isn’t realistic or aligned with how this team won 50 games this season. This series will likely be decided by how well that ecosystem functions under pressure." Thanks for joining us today on Podcasty NBA!
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