Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton expected to be fined for his celebration after making a game-winning three-pointer on Tuesday in Cleveland (YouTube link), but instead he received a warning from the NBA, reports Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
“I’ve been waiting for that. I’ve been waiting for that, man,” Haliburton said after Game 2, when asked about the celebration and if he expected to hear from the league. “It was just right in the moment. It was right in the moment. Yeah, man, I’ve been waiting for that. I’ll take that fine, gladly.”
As Reynold notes, Haliburton anticipated a fine because the celebration he used has resulted in several financial penalties in the past for what the league has referred to as an “obscene gesture.”
Here’s more on the Pacers, who hold a 2-0 lead on the top-seeded Cavaliers heading into Friday’s Game 3:
- Haliburton has been bothered by a sore left wrist recently, which is why he wore wore a wrap during Game 2 and at Thursday’s practice. However, he said he’ll be ready for tonight’s home game, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “I’m fine,” Haliburton said. “I’ll be fine for the game. I’m all good.”
- In an interview with Mark Medina of RG.org, Haliburton’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, pushed back on the idea that his client is overrated — the 25-year-old point guard was voted the NBA’s most overrated player by an anonymous poll of 90 players last month. “We clearly know that Tyrese is not overrated,” Hanlen said. “He’s the best passer and play-maker in the NBA. He’s one of the best guards in the NBA. And he impacts winning at a high level. There is proof of that. He led his team to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. This year, they already have won a series and they’re up 2-0. One of the big things that we talk about with all my athletes is, ‘It doesn’t really matter what is said. It matters what is done.’ The proof is in the results. We always talk about results being the only thing that matters. He’s got a ton of great results. We don’t really care about an anonymous poll where no one has laid their opinions out on the line.”
- Center Myles Turner is in his 10th season with Indiana and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In an interesting article for the Players’ Tribune, Turner wrote about his NBA journey, including being involved in trade rumors for several years, and his relationships with head coach Rick Carlisle and Haliburton, among other topics.
- While most NBA teams shorten their rotations in the playoffs, the opposite has been true of the Pacers, who have extended their rotation to 11 players instead of their typical 10, Dopirak writes for The Indianapolis Star. Indiana’s depth and up-tempo playing style has worn down its opponents late in games, leading to a couple of dramatic comebacks. “It’s playing to exhaustion,” backup guard T.J. McConnell said. “That tires other guys out. Our depth, if all of us are able to do that, it’s hard to play against us for 48 minutes. We press all year to get ready for a series like this in the playoffs. We just gotta continue to play extremely hard on both ends of the floor.”
The only time indy makes headlines is when a players dad celebrates on the court or when a player celebrates a massive comeback W
So a) indy cant celebrate. Ever. Under no circumstances. They need to ask permission
B) nobody give a damn they r the only tm in last 30 years to come back down 7 with 45 secs left in a game. Not one single headline or mention of these huge historic franchise defining victories. NOPE. Lets talk about tyrese father. Jesus f’ing christ
Uhhh he didn’t get fined that’s the point. He can celebrate.
For a team with so much postseason success you seem very angry. Maybe if the fan base was more grateful the feelings would be reciprocated.
I really want Hali vs that Knicks crowd at MSG. Would be epic, and Reggie calling the games since the East Finals will be on TNT.
I still can’t believe the Knicks chose Toppin over Haliburton in 2020 knowing they needed a PG and seeing that they already had ample players at PF. It still boggles my mind to this day.
Why? Thibs wouldn’t have played him then traded him anyways.
You both don’t know squat about Knicks. I’d explain to you two nons. But I doubt you could absorb such knowledge ……. live to hate.
I don’t know how Halliburton can be overrated when I never see him mentioned except in articles about him being overrated. Who’s rating him? Dude barely even gets national tv games.
I think he’s a good player. A step below the top 5 or MVP tiers. But he’d be the best player on a lot of teams.
Haliburton is objectively one of the top 30 players in the league. That’s his rating. It’s fair.
Haliburton has gone overboard at times. Even to the point of too cocky. Regardless beating Cavs is huge. So I get it. I’m not even going to think that far ahead. Both Cavs and Knicyare in a good place right now. Pacers are a young team rising. Much like Cavs were when they got Mitchell. Still getting better now. Hate to see injuries play a role in the playoffs. It’s why your team has to always be ready to move on it.
Cavs need a savior now. That Haliburton shot was a dagger ……
Haliburton is not overrated. The cavaliers they are way overrated and Indy up 3-0 tonight