The Indiana Pacers suffered one other setback Monday evening, dropping an in depth 119-115 contest to the Orlando Magic.
The loss stung deeper as Pacers followers watched the Magic’s spectacular displaying, highlighting one other rising drive within the Japanese Convention.
Tyrese Haliburton’s struggles continued, because the Pacers’ star managed simply 6 of 15 from the sector within the defeat.
With a disappointing 1-3 begin to the 2024-25 season, final 12 months’s Japanese Convention Finals runner-up finds itself below growing scrutiny.
NBA analysts have begun questioning the staff’s trajectory, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins delivering significantly pointed criticism about their playoff prospects.
Perkins particularly focused Haliburton’s early-season efficiency, elevating considerations in regards to the guard’s offseason preparation.
“I’m watching a guy like Tyrese Halliburton come into this season, I don’t know if he’s necessarily been putting in the work that he needs to put in,” Perkins remarked on ESPN’s Countdown.
He drew comparisons to different younger abilities, noting, “When you’re watching the other young guys around the league, from Paulo Banchero to Chet Holmgren, those guys look like they’ve been working on what they need to work on.”
The numbers assist a few of these considerations. Haliburton’s statistics have taken a noticeable dip, averaging simply 14 factors whereas capturing a regarding 26 p.c from three-point vary.
His playmaking influence has additionally diminished, managing solely 5 assists by way of the opening 4 video games.
Nonetheless, is it a bit too early to evaluate the Pacers?
The Pacers demonstrated their potential as a lower-seed playoff staff final season, suggesting they possess the potential to reverse their present trajectory.
Whereas Haliburton’s efficiency hasn’t matched his All-NBA requirements, the season stays younger.
For Haliburton, the trail ahead is obvious. To dispel notions of final season being an anomaly and silence critics like Perkins, he must rediscover the shape that made him one of many league’s most enjoyable younger gamers.
