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Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Hit With Scathing Label by Reporter Amid Heated Series vs New York Knicks

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/15/24

The Indiana Pacers have their backs against the wall again after suffering an embarrassing 121-91 loss at the hands of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. The loss meant that they were just a loss away from getting bouned out of title contention this season. It also opened the door for another wave of Tyrese Haliburton criticism.

Tyrese Haliburton Has to Show up for the Indiana Pacers

It did not help Haliburton that he barely factored in the game, as he finished with just 13 points.

Art Stapleton, who writes for USA TODAY, even went as far as to imply that Haliburton is a “frontrunner” in the Knicks series, unable to step up on the road and when his team needs him to deliver.

“Haliburton is really talented. But just watching him this series, he is a front running player, especially at home. Invisible when things aren’t going well.”

So far in the series against the Knicks, Haliburton is averaging 21.6 points on 55.3 percent shooting from the field and 6.8 rebounds per game. Those are not bad numbers, but they pale in contrast to Jalen Brunson’s production which has been unbelievable. Brunson is putting up 32.0 points on a 48.4 field goal percentage versus the Pacers.

Haliburton can’t be distracted by the criticism he’s getting at the moment. His sole focus should be on helping the Pacers extend the series and force a Game 7 when they host the Knicks again in a do-or-die game for Indiana this coming Thursday.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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