Despite a parade of clutch game-winning shots during the NBA Playoffs, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton still has his critics.
ESPN’s Jay Williams had some sharp criticism of Haliburton for not starting quickly enough during the Indiana Pacers’ 123-107 loss in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Ok. Williams argued that Haliburton needs to be much more assertive earlier in the game for the Pacers to win the series.
“Haliburton can close games, but champions open the games with intent. They set the tone, they don’t just react to it,” Williams argued. “Going into the third quarter, Haliburton, 26 minutes last night, 5 points on 2-of-7 field goals. I need him to look at the rim at the beginning of the game.
“You can make a case, if he didn’t hit that game-winner after Game 1, we would be talking about the same tone. He wasn’t aggressive, and this Indiana team is better when he comes out and attacks, (and) just doesn’t settle for passing the ball and getting people involved.”
.@RealJayWilliams had this to say about Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers after their Game 2 loss against OKC. pic.twitter.com/cENpZaZVhF
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 9, 2025
Haliburton scored 14 points in Game 1 and 17 points in Game 2. His dramatic Game 1 winner salvaged that performance, but there is certainly merit to Williams’ argument that Haliburton needs to do more to take over games before his team falls behind.
There is no doubt that Haliburton can rise to the occasion in clutch moments. Williams wants to see him seize control of games so he does not have to author such moments as regularly. Perhaps the Pacers will make that a point of emphasis as they head into a crucial Game 3 at home.
