Why Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton has dazzled in 5 games for Team USA

Game 4 vs Greece

Fair warning, this is Tyrese Haliburton’s quietest performance of all five exhibition games.

Following a back-to-back against Slovenia and Spain, the latter of which gave them a big test in the form of their first remotely close game, Team USA returned to action after four games of rest to face a Giannis-less Greece team. Tyrese was seen to be in good spirits prior to the game and was spotted goofing around prior in Abu Dhabi, where the game was taking place.

That being said, he didn’t have the greatest performance out there.

Tyrese did get off to a quick (if not hot) start, as he got his first assist 15 seconds after checking in, to Cam Johnson yet again.

He would also showcase some scoring as well, hitting a pretty layup off a fake and jab step for his first points of the game.

Tyrese would also have a bit of a highlight play in the first half, as he threw another assist, this time to Paolo Banchero after skillfully faking out 2 Greek defenders, leading to Banchero’s dunk, which left the commentators in awe.

However, after a first half where he had 2 points and 4 assists, Haliburton wouldn’t do much more for the rest of the game.

The rest of Haliburton’s contributions in the game consisted of 2 steals, a block, a free throw, 2 turnovers, and perhaps his finest scoring play of the game, which was a pull-up three after shaking the defender loose with a behind-the-back move.

This would be a relatively disappointing game for Tyrese Haliburton, as he finished with 6 points (2/4 FG, 1/3 3PT, 1/1 FT), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, and a surprising 4 turnovers in about 19 minutes of action. However, Team USA would still cruise to an easy 108-86 win behind 21 points from Anthony Edwards.

Now, while Tyrese only logged 6 points, it was not without effort or wanting the ball, as he was spotted in some plays begging and jumping to get the ball as his teammates ignored him.

https://twitter.com/TheBoxAndOne_/status/1692584296878416313

There isn’t much more to say about this game, as Tyrese still made the offense better when he was on the floor, and even showed some defensive potential with the 2 steals and a block. All in all, despite a mediocre performance, Haliburton still received ‘super duper’ praise following the game.