Tyrese Haliburton's incredible recent stretch of games further confirms this

After a slow and inconsistent start to the season, Tyrese Haliburton has drastically turned things around. Additionally, the Indiana Pacers guard has turned it up to another level after the All-Star break.

In his last four games, Haliburton is averaging 25.8 points, 11.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals. Additionally, he is shooting 63.2% from the field and 52.6% from the three-point line. During that stretch, the Pacers are 3-1 with their lone loss coming against the Denver Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back. Furthermore, the Pacers' three wins were decided by an average of 17.3 points.

On Wednesday night, Haliburton had arguably the best game of the season in a win over the Toronto Raptors. He recorded a 33-point, 11-assist triple-double, was incredibly efficient (he shot 12-for-15 from the field), and made his presence felt everywhere on the court.

It is a small sample size, but this is some of the best basketball Haliburton has played in his career, and it is just further proof that the Pacers can only go as far as their point guard takes them.

Tyrese Haliburton is crucial to the Pacers' shot at a championship

As the floor general of the team, it is no secret that Haliburton is the most important player on the Pacers. He is the engine of their fast-paced offense and gets things going for the rest of the team. Though he did not make the All-Star team this season and teammate Pascal Siakam did, most would say that Haliburton is the best player on the Pacers.

What makes Haliburton so important to Indiana's success is his value as a playmaker and scorer. He is very efficient and takes good care of the ball, but he also has the tendency to take over games when needed as a scorer. There is still a lot of basketball remaining, but if Haliburton can continue playing as well as he has been after the All-Star break, then the Pacers are in a good spot heading into the playoffs.

Before the All-Star break, Haliburton had not recorded a single double-double in the month of February. He has recorded one in each of his last three games (and was one assist shy of a double-double in the win over the Memphis Grizzlies). It is no coincidence that the Pacers as a team have also been successful during that span.

It seems likely that the Pacers will be in a good spot to compete for a title this season, and if Haliburton continues to play this level of basketball, they could replicate or even improve upon their playoff run from last year.