All eyes are on Tyrese Haliburton as Pacers season starts
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photos: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
As the Indiana Pacers prepare to tipoff a new NBA season, no player on the roster is poised to snatch up more spotlight than Tyrese Haliburton.
Why it matters: Injury forced the 24-year-old All-Star to finish his stellar 2023-24 season on the sidelines and watch his squad get swept from the playoffs by a Celtics team that would go on to win the NBA Finals.
- Now he's healthy and hungry to prove to the haters that the Pacers' deep postseason run wasn't a fluke.
What he's saying: During media day last month, Haliburton — who admits to being chronically online — called the doubters a "big motivation and irritation" heading into this season.
- "I think that everybody has different motivations, and I think that this just adds chips on our shoulders … and I think that's the exciting part," Haliburton said. "That's why there was so much success and hunger last year, and that doesn't change going into this year."
- "We know what we're capable of. We've always known what we're capable of," he continued. "We don't need to talk about it. We'll just be about it this year."
The big picture: Haliburton's likable presence, impressive play and rapid rise have given the Pacers a true front man for the first time since the Reggie Miller era.
- A busy off-season that included an Olympic gold medal, a major endorsement deal with PUMA, WWE main events and more pushed his global profile to new heights.
State of play: Haliburton came in at No. 86 on SportsPro Media's annual ranking of the world's most marketable athletes.
- While he hasn't cracked the top 50 yet, Haliburton's position puts him on pace with other hot, 20-something NBA stars like Anthony Edwards (No. 82), Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 94) and Victor Wembanyama (No. 114).
Zoom in: Nic DeMichele, head of NorthStar's sports practice, said two ways Haliburton is winning hearts and minds off the court is by being relatable, and by being really good on social media.
- Whether he's making playful jabs at himself over his lack of Olympic playing time, rocking an eye-catching outfit while walking into Gainbridge Fieldhouse or congratulating 50 Cent on his Las Vegas residency at 4am, people pay attention when he's posting.
- His presence in Indy, how he engages with the community and the fact that he seems to be having fun is also something that is noticed by fans across the nation.
- "He was one of the top scorers on our authentic driver because he talks a lot about his interests, his family, his professional and personal challenges … I think he's a great example that really kind of represents a new age of marketability," DeMichele said.
What we're watching: How far the Pacers go, and if the pundits will ever give them their props.
- Despite being one of the final four teams standing at the end of last season, the latest NBA Power Rankings put the Pacers at No. 10, with analysts calling their Eastern Conference Finals appearance a "surprise."
What's next: The Pacers start the season tonight against Detroit. Tipoff is at 7pm.
- The Pacers' second game of the season is also one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. At 7:30pm Friday, they play the Knicks for a rematch of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
- Game three on Sunday is the team's home opener against the 76ers.
If you go: Tipoff for the home opener is 3:30pm.
- Tickets start at $25.