The one defensive stat Tyrese Haliburton nearly led the NBA in last season

When the Indiana Pacers acquired Tyrese Haliburton from the Sacramento Kings a few years ago, expectations were high for the guard. However, after the 2023-24 season, it seems likely that Haliburton has already exceeded expectations with the team.

In his two-and-a-half seasons in Indiana, Haliburton is a two-time All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection, an Olympic gold medalist, and a one-time assists leader. Furthermore, he has finished in the top 10 for Most Improved Player voting twice.

At just 24 years old, it is impressive what Haliburton has done with the Pacers. As the leader of the team, he has quickly turned them into potential championship contenders. This was especially clear last season after he led the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. And although they lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics, Indiana still looked like they belonged.

When talking about Haliburton's game, he has very few flaws. However, the flaws he does have are blatant and potentially concerning. Most notably, his defense is a big problem for the Pacers.

Over the past few seasons, Haliburton's lack of defensive effort has been noticed. And while he has gotten marginally better as a defender with the Pacers, there is still a lot of room for improvement. However, the Wisconsin native is not entriely a lost cause on the defensive end. In fact, there is one particular stat he almost led the league in that should leave Pacers fans intrigued.

Tyrese Haliburton finished the 2023-24 season with the second-most blocks on three-point attempts

It is a bit of an unusual stat. However, that does not make it any less impressive or impactful. Last season, Haliburton blocked 19 three-point field goal attempts from opposing players. Only Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers, a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection, had more such blocks than Haliburton with 25.

Haliburton's 19 blocks on three-point attempts are more than some of the game's most menacing defenders, including Herbert Jones, Derrick White, and even "The Extraterrestrial" himself, Victor Wembanyama, last season's blocks leader.

Despite not being known as a solid defender, Haliburton's 6-foot-5 frame gives him a natural advantage over many other guards, and this stat is proof. Additionally, Haliburton recorded seven in 2022-23 (18th-most), 16 in 2021-22 (second-most, again only behind Thybulle), and five in 2020-21 (13th-most).

Haliburton clearly has the tools to be a solid defender in the NBA. If he can grow into such a player, it will pay dividends for himself and the Pacers in the long run.