Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the best player in the series to date. The regular-season MVP has scored 72 points through the first two games and had eight assists in the Thunder's Game 2 win. Tyrese Haliburton was the Game 1 hero for Indy, but he was quiet in Game 2 as OKC held the Pacers point guard to five points in the first three quarters.

The NBA Finals are tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3. While the Pacers lost Game 2, they were able to shift home court to their advantage by defeating the Thunder in Game 1. Hitting the game winning shot was Tyrese Haliburton, who has been one of the stars of the entire playoffs.

Tyrese Haliburton's former Iowa State teammate, assistant coach celebrate his NBA success

Iowa State alum and Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton has received major praise from Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson. "I love his game. I do wish he was a little more aggressive. He's very unselfish — probably too unselfish.

Will Haliburton be more aggressive in Game 3? The Thunder’s general on-ball plan won’t change regardless. It’ll begin with Dort on Haliburton.

No, Tyrese Haliburton is not a superstar. That might sound like an insult, but it’s not. It’s a statement of fact, at least for now. It's also something that is likely to change.

Carlisle's ultimate trust in Haliburton has been on full display in the 2025 NBA Playoffs where Tyrese has emerged as the postseason's best clutch player. That confidence was perhaps at its highest level with Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals going down to their final possession.

Tyrese Haliburton met with reporters to share his thoughts on what the team learned in the first two games in the NBA Finals. After limping late in Game 2, and in the post-game press conference, Haliburton downplayed concerns, saying it’s just a “lower ...