Not Overrated. Underrated Greatness: Tyrese Haliburton Is Cookin’ and the Pacers Are Rollin’

Let’s cut the nonsense.

Let’s stop the casual talk.

Let’s keep it a buck...

The Indiana Pacers are one win away from the NBA Finals.

Let that marinate.

Did anybody see this coming? Be honest.

NO!

Now?

They’re up 3-1 on the Knicks after a 130-121 win in Game 4, dissecting New York like surgeons in midsoles.

And the man holding the scalpel?

Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton isn't just hooping— he’s masterminding.

You saw the numbers: 32 points. 15 assists. 12 rebounds.

ZERO turnovers.

That’s not a game. That’s a TED Talk on point guard excellence.

Haliburton is the first player in NBA history to post a 30-point triple-double with no turnovers in a Conference Finals game.

Only Jokic and Oscar Robertson have ever dropped 30-15-10 in the playoffs.

He now joins Chris Paul and Johnny Moore as the only players since 1977 with 120+ assists and fewer than 30 turnovers through the first 13 playoff games.

So here’s the question: How is Jalen Brunson a “Superstar” and Haliburton isn’t?

Because if this series has shown us anything, it’s that Tyrese isn’t coming —he’s arrived.

Now don’t get it twisted — this isn’t a knock on Brunson.

That man is a warrior. He dropped 31 points and 5 assists in Game 4.

But Indiana has been hunting him— isolating him, targeting him in pick-and-rolls, and making him work for every bucket.

Meanwhile, Haliburton's been running the game like a Fortune 500 CEO.

And here’s what the league really needs to apologize for: Not long ago, folks were calling Haliburton “the most overrated player in the NBA.”

Excuse me?!

This brother has 110 more assists than turnovers in the playoffs. He’s making history while making it look easy.

And oh yeah — shoutout to the Indiana front office, because what they've done in just a few years?

Masterclass.

Chef’s kiss.

• Traded Sabonis for Haliburton. Franchise-changing move.

• Flipped Caris LeVert for Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard.

• Traded Brogdon for Aaron Nesmith.

• Got Obi Toppin for two second-round picks.

• Turned Bruce Brown and three late firsts into Pascal Siakam.

That’s not luck. That’s vision. That’s front office excellence.

And Siakam? Don’t overlook the man averaging 25.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.3 APG this series.

And let’s salute Aaron Nesmith, who rolled his ankle in Game 3 and still dug in defensively.

This is a real team. They got depth, shooting, athleticism, interior size, and a closer who can shoot from anywhere and orchestrate everything.

And look — the Knicks deserve flowers too. OG Anunoby added 22, Mikal Bridges dropped 17, and KAT pulled down 24 and 12.

But the truth is?

The Pacers are just the better team.

This isn’t about guts. This isn’t about who’s “tougher.” This is about basketball. And Indiana is hooping.

Now the series shifts back to The Garden, where the Knicks are just 3-5 this postseason. I can’t picture them dropping three straight at home— but if they do?

PACK THEM UP.

Indy got next.

And don’t be shocked if they match up just fine with OKC.

Star guards? Check.

Elite wings? Check.

Rim protection, depth, a modern offense? Check, check, and checkmate.

Let’s say it loud for the folks in the back: The Pacers are legit.

And Tyrese Haliburton is HIM.