After winning the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Indiana Pacers are off to a disappointing 7-10 start against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
One of the reasons for the Pacers’ slow play was the performance of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Amid reports that he has battled hamstring and back injuries, Haliburton is averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 assists, down from last season’s 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game.
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But if injuries are holding back the two-time All-Star, he may have finally broken through in Monday’s 114-110 win over New Orleans. Haliburton hit a season-high nine 3-pointers (9-for-18 shooting from 3) and scored 34 points with 13 assists and three steals.
That’s one shy of his best point total this season, which was 35 against the New York Knicks on Nov. 10. And his nine 3s were one shy of the franchise record he set last season.
Since scoring just four points in a 130-113 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 20, Haliburton has combined for 73 points (24.3 avg.) and 46 percent shooting (18-for-39) in his last three games. 3 s. The Pacers have now won two straight after losing three straight and five of their last eight.
After Monday’s game, Haliburton admitted to reporters that he was frustrated with his play and the basketball was getting into “work territory,” which led to bad energy on the court.
Tyrese Haliburton just mentioned a lot about how the early part of the season has been. I spent about 10 minutes there. He said frustration got to him and basketball started to get into “work territory” and he recalled the joy he has…
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) November 26, 2024
“I think what I have to keep is my joy in basketball,” Haliburton said. via Tony East. “Everybody wants to say be happy, have fun. That’s hard when you’re losing.”
Myles Turner added 17 points and nine rebounds in the Pacers’ win, while Pascal Siakam had 14 points with seven rebounds and seven assists. Quenton Jackson scored 12, shooting 4-6 on 3-pointers.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 24 points, followed by CJ McCollum’s 23 points. Elfrid Payton dished out 21 assists, his most in a game since Haliburton had 23 last season to finish ninth all-time.