2 Duds, 1 stud from Indiana Pacers brutal loss to LA Clippers

Dud - Tyrese Haliburton

There are very few nights when Tyrese Haliburton doesn’t bring it. He’s been by far the most consistent player on the Indiana Pacers this year, and the reason they’ve become relevant again.

Unfortunately, against the LA Clippers, Haliburton had one of his rare rough nights, and while he still acted as a solid playmaker, he struggled in most other areas.

Haliburton ended the game with eight points, two rebounds, and 11 assists while shooting just 3-of-12 from the floor and 1-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc. He also turned the ball over four times.

In addition, Haliburton’s defense wasn’t ideal, as the Clippers’ slew of perimeter stars were able to get whatever they wanted in this game.

All that said, it’s unfair to simply expect a loss whenever Haliburton has a rough game. Indiana’s main focus from here on out should be improving the team around him and getting Haliburton a solid supporting cast.

The team they have in place now is decent, but they lack a secondary star capable of carrying some of the weight on offense, and they don’t have a good enough defensive infrastructure.

Haliburton had a bad night against the Clippers. That much is true. But the Pacers need to get some better pieces to put around him.