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[Saba Sports News] Tyrese Haliburton had a chance to quiet his critics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals — but instead, he added fuel to the fire.
In the Indiana Pacers’ 120-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, Haliburton failed to make a single field goal.
He went 0-for-6 from the floor and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, scoring all four of his points from the free-throw line. He finished the game with seven rebounds, six assists, and a -13 in 34 minutes of action.
Despite his contributions in other areas, many fans were quick to call out Haliburton for not rising to the moment. Social media was flooded with reactions questioning his status as a true superstar, pointing to Game 5 as proof that he struggles to deliver under pressure — especially in big-time matchups.
Haliburton did play through a calf injury, which caused him to briefly leave the game in the second quarter. While he returned and tried to push through the discomfort, the injury clearly limited his explosiveness and ability to attack defenders.
Still, the superstar debate surrounding Haliburton remains complicated. Consistency is often what separates stars from superstars, and while Haliburton has had electric performances this postseason, he’s also had more than a few off nights.
He scored just eight points on seven shots in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, and only managed four points in 30 minutes during Game 3 of the second round vs. Cleveland.
Yet Haliburton’s value extends beyond scoring. He’s one of the league’s few true pass-first point guards and sets the pace for a fast-moving Pacers offense that’s reached the Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. But in Game 5, the calf injury seemed to sap his trademark burst — and with it, the Pacers’ rhythm.
While Haliburton has been one of the breakout names of the 2025 playoffs, his standing as a true NBA superstar is still up for debate — and Game 5 didn’t help his case.