Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton hits season-high 9 3-pointers in 114-110 win over Pelicans

On November 26, 2024By Littum

After last season’s run to the Eastern Conference finals, the Indiana Pacers were off to a disappointing 7-10 start entering Monday’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans.

One of the reasons for the Pacers’ sluggish play has been the performance of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Amid reports that he has struggled with hamstring and back injuries, Haliburton has averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 assists, well below last season’s 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game.

But if injuries have held the two-time All-Star back, he may have finally broken through in Monday’s 114-110 win over New Orleans. Haliburton hit a season-high nine 3-pointers (shot 9-for-18 from 3) and scored 34 points with 13 assists and three steals.

That’s one short of his best point total this season, which was 35 against the New York Knicks on Nov. 10. And his nine 3s were one short the franchise record he set last season.

Since scoring just four points in a 130-113 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 20, Haliburton has combined for 73 points in his past three games (24.3 average) and shot 46% (18-for-39 ) of 3s. The Pacers have now won two straight after losing three in a row and five of their last eight.

After Monday’s game, Haliburton admitted to reporters that he was frustrated with his game and that the basketball was entering “job territory,” leading to poor energy on the court.

Tyrese Haliburton just talked a lot about how the early part of the season has been. Was running for 10 minutes there. Said the frustration got to him and basketball began to enter “job territory” and he has reminded himself of the joy he has…

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) 26 November 2024

“I think what I just have to keep is my enjoyment of the game of basketball,” Haliburton said. via Tony East. “Everybody wants to say be happy, have fun. That’s hard to do when you’re losing.”

Myles Turner added 17 points and nine rebounds in the Pacers’ win, while Pascal Siakam scored 14 with seven rebounds and seven assists. Quenton Jackson scored 12 and shot 4-for-6 on 3-pointers.

The Pelicans were led by Trey Murphy III’s 24 points, followed by CJ McCollum’s 23. Elfrid Payton dished out 21 assists, the most in a game since Haliburton had 23 last season and tied for ninth all-time.