Tyrese Haliburton will not step on the court for the Indiana Pacers due to an Achilles tear, but that doesn't mean he's not making his presence felt.
According to Pascal Siakam, the Wisconsin native is still around the team every day and is "coaching everyone," even as he recovers from his injury (h/t Mark Medina of EssentiallySports).
“He’s been great. He’s been awesome. I talk to him every day. Just to see how involved he is, I know injuries are hard. I couldn’t tell you how I would be if I was in his shoes. It’s tough mentally. But he’s been awesome. He’s been there every single day with us. He’s coaching everyone. He’s being a part of the team. He’s been great about that.”
Everybody knows about Haliburton's impact on the court. During his time in Indiana, he has established himself as one of the best facilitators and playmakers in the league, all while being a legitimate scoring threat. He is the engine of the Pacers' offense and was the biggest reason for success over the past couple of seasons.
The Pacers clearly miss having their star guard on the court. In his absence, they are 15-40 and have a better chance at winning the draft lottery than making a playoff appearance. Additionally, their offense has mostly been a mess this season without Haliburton, and their 109.8 offensive rating ranks last in the NBA, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Fortunately for the Pacers, it seems that they are still getting a positive impact from Haliburton even in his on-court absence. But it's also safe to say they are probably itching for the day he is back on the court.
Tyrese Haliburton is the Pacers' key to long-term success
If it wasn't obvious before, it's certainly obvious now: the Pacers need Haliburton in order to remain long-term contributors.
On the court, he is the perfect point guard for their system. He knows how to set his teammates up for success and elevate their games while being able to run a fast-paced offense. His quick decision-making makes him incredibly valuable in Indiana, and he is one of the biggest reasons the team has a bright future.
And, according to Siakam, it seems like Haliburton knows he is a crucial part of the Pacers' success even off the court.
The Iowa State alum has one of the highest basketball IQs in the league today, and it's safe to say any insight he's been able to give to his teammates this season will likely pay dividends in the long haul.
Indiana has a chance to re-enter the title picture as soon as next season once Haliburton returns. They have a very talented roster, a great coaching staff and front office, and the benefit of playing in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Once the two-time All-Star makes his way back, he and the Pacers will look to send the league a big reminder about just how dangerous they still are.