Tyrese Haliburton has been the brightest star of the NBA In-Season Tournament thus far. The Indiana Pacers guard certainly outshined one of his superstar peers in his team’s semifinal win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pacers upset the 1-seed Bucks Thursday in a 128-119 win at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Haliburton had himself a monster night with 27 points and 15 assists — including the biggest shot of the night.
The Pacers were up 119-114 with about a minute to go in regulation. Haliburton missed a three-pointer, got his own miss, and then launched another one that swished through the net.
Tyrese Haliburton today:
27 points
15 assists
7 rebounds
0 turnoversThe new Point God. pic.twitter.com/iyKzEXQE4L
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 8, 2023
Haliburton pimped his dagger triple by stealing Damian Lillard’s signature “Dame Time” celebration. The former Portland Trail Blazers guard would famously tap an imaginary watch on his wrist after making a clutch shot. Haliburton put his own spin on the gesture.
“I know what time it is,” said Haliburton after staring at his own imaginary watch.
Tyrese Haliburton mocking Dame Time: "I know what time it is." pic.twitter.com/5jDLi6nrrA
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 8, 2023
Haliburton was asked about the gesture after the game. The Pacers guard said that it came “in the heat of the moment” and credited his entire team for “shocking the world.”
“I think it was just something in the heat of the moment,” said Haliburton. “I kind of pounded my chest and said, ‘it’s my time,’ but I think really looking at it, it’s our time. It’s our time as a group. We’re playing the right way and shocking the world.”
"I think it was just something in the heat of the moment. I kind of pounded my chest and said, 'it's my time,' but I think really looking at it, it's our time. It's our time as a group. We're playing the right way and shocking the world."
Tyrese Haliburton on his Dame Time… pic.twitter.com/OslamVlS37
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 8, 2023
It’s not the first time this season that Haliburton went viral for his celebratory antics. It probably won’t be the last.
Haliburton averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 assists across 17 games entering Thursday’s matchup against the Bucks. The Pacers will face off against either the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans in the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament championship.
