Tyrese Haliburton’s Pop is Gone: What Happened to the Pacers’ Golden Boy?

The Indiana Pacers kicked off the 2024-25 NBA season with plenty of hope, powered by their All-Star guard, Tyrese Haliburton. But instead of riding high on Pacers’ Golden Boy, the team finds itself grappling with an underwhelming beginning. Haliburton, known for electrifying plays and jaw-dropping shots, is now drawing raised eyebrows—and maybe even a few whispers of doubt.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Pop is Gone: What Happened to the Pacers’ Golden Boy?

Let’s lay out the brutal facts. Haliburton is putting up just 14.6 points per game, alongside 6.6 assists and 5.0 rebounds, shooting an ice-cold 34.6% from the field and a troubling 25% from beyond the arc. Compare that to his All-NBA Third Team season, where he averaged over 20 points and nearly 11 assists, and you have to wonder: what happened to the guy who’d bury shots from near half-court without breaking a sweat?

One anonymous NBA executive didn’t hold back, telling ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, “Last year, he’d pull up from just inside half court and bury shots. He just isn’t playing with that same pop this year.” It’s a gut punch of a statement. Has Haliburton lost his edge, or is this a temporary dip in form? It’s a question every Pacers fan is asking.

To add more spice to the story, Haliburton’s resume over the last few seasons reads like a rising superstar’s dream. After being traded from the Sacramento Kings in 2021-22, he became a sensation in Indiana, earning his first All-Star nod in 2023. His stats were monstrous: over 20 points per game, double-digit assists, and deep threes that had fans leaping from their seats. The cherry on top? An Olympic gold medal from the Paris Summer Games, even if he didn’t see much court time.

Yet, the Pacers, currently sitting at a dismal 2-3, are feeling the pinch. Sure, they have plenty of talent—Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin are no slouches. But make no mistake: Haliburton is the linchpin. If he’s off his game, the whole ship risks sinking. You know what they say: if the shepherd falters, the flock scatters.

Now, there’s still room for optimism. The Pacers stunned everyone last year with a miraculous run to the Eastern Conference Finals. They’ve shown they can make noise when they’re healthy and firing on all cylinders. But to do that again, Haliburton has to snap out of this slump—and soon.

It’s fascinating how one player’s dip can ripple through an entire team’s dynamics. Haliburton’s slow start might be temporary, but in the high-stakes world of the NBA, patience is a luxury. The fire under him is real, and for a player who’s been a source of excitement, his journey back to form will be a must-watch.