Magic Runs Out! Haliburton's Playoff-Worst 8 & 6 as Pacers Star Checks Out Early in Frustration

Haliburton's Nightmare Game 5: Pacers Star Delivers Series-Worst Dud in Crushing ECF Loss

Tyrese Haliburton's magical playoff run hit a wall in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, with Indiana's franchise cornerstone submitting his worst performance of the series:

• 8 PTS (2-7 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-5 FT)

• 6 AST | -25 +/- (2nd-worst on team)

• First single-digit scoring game this postseason

A Staggering Regression

Just 48 hours after making NBA history with a 32/12/15/4stl/5 3PM/0 TO masterpiece in Game 4 (becoming the first player ever with such a playoff stat line), Haliburton:

• Went scoreless from the field in the first half (0-3 FG, 4 PTS all from FT)

• Didn’t record his first made basket until 3:53 remained in the 3rd quarter

• Was outscored 14-2 by Jalen Brunson in the 1Q alone

Game Flow Disaster

• 1st Half: Played 17:10 (most on team) but contributed just 4 PTS, 3 AST, -12 +/- as Indy fell behind by 11

• 3rd Quarter: Finally hit a shot but went 1-2 for 2 PTS, with his +/- cratering to -19

• 4th Quarter: Watched from the bench as Indy’s 12-0 run cut the deficit without him, then checked back in only to sub out early in surrender

Contextual Collapse

The performance starkly contrasted his ECF dominance prior:
🔥 Games 1-4: 21.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 50% FG (Including two 30+ point explosions)
❄ Game 5: No defensive impact (0 steals/blocks), passive drives (1-5 in paint), and zero transition push

What’s Next?

With the series shifting back to Indiana for Game 6, all eyes are on whether Haliburton can:

1. Rediscover his aggression after this passive outing

2. Adjust to NYK’s physical traps that disrupted his rhythm

3. Avoid letting Brunson outwork him again in star showdowns

Verdict: A concerning no-show when his team needed him most. The Pacers’ championship hopes now hinge on which Haliburton shows up Friday.