We are witnessing something extraordinary: a superstar’s meteoric rise in the NBA.
Typically, such ascension is gradual, akin to the slow build-up of waves before a tsunami strikes. However, Tyrese Haliburton’s ascent has been anything but ordinary.
He transformed from a normally quiet player to one making headlines at an astonishing pace, catching everyone off guard—the likes of which the NBA has never seen before.
Just last summer, Haliburton humorously lamented his limited playing time for Team USA during the Olympics by posting a gold medal picture on Instagram with the message, “When you ain’t do nun on the group project and still get an A.”
In February, after missing training due to a hamstring injury, he was left off the All-Star team. Ironically, during a poll conducted by The Athletic, players tagged him as the most overrated in the league.
He was not even on the radar to become the league’s new superstar amidst the towering figures like Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic.
Yet, within a startling turn of events over two months, Haliburton has rewritten his own narrative entirely.
LeBron James remarked, “Players will run through a wall for certain guys, and they will do that for Hali.” Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade declared, “Haliburton is a f—king superstar.”
His brilliance is impossible to overlook, evidenced by his multiple clutch shots this postseason—four buzzer-beaters or go-ahead shots during the final moments. Remarkably, only LeBron has made more such shots in his illustrious career.
These electrifying moments quickly went viral, enthralling fans and non-fans alike. Haliburton’s contributions helped the Indiana Pacers pull ahead in nail-biting situations during critically pivotal playoff games.
From trailing the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 to leading the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2, and dragging the New York Knicks into overtime in the Eastern Conference Finals—Haliburton has consistently delivered in the clutch.
In just under two months, he has remarkably transitioned from being viewed as overrated to becoming the face of the postseason. Such a dramatic leap is unprecedented.
As the world watches, it’s undeniable that Tyrese Haliburton is making a name for himself as the NBA’s next big star.
