Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton started the season with a mission: to silence those who thought last year’s playoff run was a fluke. Now, with the Pacers back in the Eastern Conference Finals, they’re determined to prove they’ve always belonged among the NBA’s best.
“You heard (Boston coach) Joe Mazzulla this year say Indiana was our toughest opponent,” Haliburton said after practice. “That kind of became like a meme, like a participation award in a sense. But I think that’s the most respect you could get from who you’re ultimately competing against.”
The Pacers showed their potential last year despite being swept by the Celtics. Even without Haliburton in the last two games, Boston needed late-game heroics to secure wins. Those close losses became motivation. “As soon as we lost to Boston last year,” said Aaron Nesmith, “everybody had the right mindset. I think we all used it as fuel for the summer.”
This season wasn’t easy. Indiana faced injuries and doubts, especially after a 10-15 start. But since Dec. 13, they’ve gone 48-19, grabbing the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round for the first time in over a decade.
Their playoff run has been even more impressive. They took down Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks in five games and did the same to top-seeded Cleveland, rallying from double-digit deficits in Games 2 and 5. Haliburton led both comebacks, including a last-second 3-pointer and a layup in overtime.
“We’ve had many games where you could take a screenshot at any moment and be like ‘How did they win this game?’” Haliburton said. “We just figure out ways to win. We don’t give up and we’re battle tested.”
Pascal Siakam added, “We’ve been in hostile games, we’ve been on the road, had to find ways to win… we’ve seen it at the highest level.”
Now, Indiana is set for a rematch with the New York Knicks — a team they eliminated in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden last May. But this time, the Pacers are stronger, more experienced, and ready to take the next step toward the NBA Finals.