On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins suggested that true NBA superstardom involves filling arenas, adding humorously, “I don’t know if Tyrese Haliburton is selling out arenas.” This implies that Haliburton may not be viewed as a superstar by those who define it in terms of marketability.

Yet, in terms of sheer basketball talent, Haliburton is rapidly ascending among the elite point guards. His recent performance saw him achieve 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and 4 steals during the Indiana Pacers’ 130-121 victory over the New York Knicks, without any turnovers.

TAKING A BOW, TYRESE HALIBURTON 👏
🔥 32 PTS
🔥 15 AST (0 TO)
🔥 12 REB
🔥 4 STL
🔥 5 3PM
🏆 HE HAS THE @Pacers ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE FINALS!
pic.twitter.com/x3la65XvpG — NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2025

The series returns to New York for Game 5, with the Pacers leading 3-1, poised for their first Finals appearance in 25 years.

Recalling the trade that sent Domantas Sabonis to the Pacers and brought Haliburton to Indiana: it’s proving to be advantageous as Haliburton continues to develop into a significant talent, despite still facing skepticism regarding his superstar status.

Haliburton is an old-school point guard with modern skills, adept at running a team while contributing to scoring selectively. In contrast, fellow point guard Jalen Brunson, known for his ball dominance, is averaging 33 points per game in this series, while Haliburton’s contribution is 24 points with 11 assists.

The Pacers play at a quicker pace, often fostering team involvement, whereas the Knicks rely heavily on Brunson’s scoring ability, which may not be sustainable for success.

This ongoing matchup between Haliburton and Brunson will likely continue to stir conversations around what defines a superstar in the NBA.