Tyrese Haliburton did not mince words after the Indiana Pacers suffered a 122-111 loss to the Toronto Raptors in an NBA Cup game. The defeat was another setback in a season filled with inconsistency, as the Pacers fell to 9-13, including a dismal 2-10 record on the road.
“I think the product we’re putting on the floor right now as a group is embarrassing. The conversation at halftime, I think we entered the second half better. But it’s got to be like that for 48 minutes.”
“Every team is playing hard right now. Every team is young and has energy. And there’s no reason that we shouldn’t be matching and beyond. You cannot control if you make every shot. You can’t control substitution patterns. You can’t control stuff like that.”
“But you can control how hard you’re going to play. You can control your energy and your spirit. Those are all controllable things. Everybody’s got to do a little bit of a gut check, check themselves in the mirror and figure out what we can do better. I mean, listen, we’re 9-13 right now.”
“We can act like the world is falling apart, and that’s not the case. But there also needs to be a sense of urgency. Everybody can say, ‘Oh, it’s four games, we’ll be back to 500.’ It ain’t that easy.”
“It starts with me. I have to be a better leader. I got to do everything better and harder because I’m not ready to piss away a year of my career, or this organization’s — this team’s — season.”
In the postgame interview, Haliburton, a two-time All-Star and the team’s cornerstone, expressed his frustration, calling the team’s performance “embarrassing” and issuing a challenge to his teammates and himself to turn things around.
Haliburton’s candid remarks underscore the Pacers’ struggles this season to replicate their success from the previous year. Indiana was a surprise team last season, making a deep playoff run and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals after acquiring Pascal Siakam. This year, however, the team has been unable to find consistency, both offensively and defensively.
The Pacers have been plagued by poor starts and a lack of defensive cohesion. Against Toronto, they turned the ball over 17 times in the first half, leading to a significant early deficit. Despite a spirited comeback attempt in the second half, the hole was too deep to climb out of.
Indiana’s defensive struggles have been glaring. They entered the game ranked 25th in points allowed per possession, a stark reminder of the gaps in their defensive strategy. Coach Rick Carlisle, who had earlier voiced concerns about officiating and physical play affecting Haliburton, acknowledged the need for significant improvement.
The Pacers’ current struggles are twofold: their offense and defense have both been subpar. They rank 17th in offensive rating and an abysmal 25th in defensive rating, leading to a 24th-ranked net rating. For a team that was once known for its high-octane offense, the decline is glaring. Against Toronto, they managed just 103.7 points per 100 possessions—a scoring rate equivalent to the Washington Wizards’ league-worst offensive rating.
Haliburton, despite being a bright spot with 30 points and four three-pointers against Toronto, acknowledged the team’s need for urgency. Injuries have also played a role in the Pacers’ struggles, with key players like Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, and Aaron Nesmith missing significant time.
However, Haliburton and other core players like Siakam and Myles Turner have remained mostly available, making the team’s underperformance even more frustrating. Haliburton’s remarks highlight his determination not to let the season slip away.
The Pacers face an uphill battle to regain their form, but Haliburton’s leadership and willingness to hold himself and his teammates accountable could be the spark they need. For now, the team must find a way to rediscover the energy and identity that made them one of last season’s feel-good stories.
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