Tyrese Haliburton makes NBA playoff history, joins eight players and four Hall-of-Famers with eye-popping stat

In fact, Tyrese Haliburton is correct up there with one of the best of them, and he’s off to probably the greatest begins to a postseason in NBA historical past.

By 4 video games, the Indiana Pacers are up 3-1 over the Milwaukee Bucks, and Haliburton is averaging a stellar 15.5 factors and 12.3 assists. Whereas his taking pictures (29% from deep) leaves rather a lot to be desired, he’s making everybody round him higher.

Haliburton joins all-time greats with distinctive stat

In all 4 video games, Haliburton has recorded a double-double.

In Recreation 1, he practically fell brief, scoring solely ten factors, though he shortly bounced again, scoring a series-high 21 factors within the subsequent sport.

He joins Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, John Stockton, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, and Deron Williams as the one gamers to safe double-doubles with factors and assists within the first 4 video games of a postseason run.

Johnson, Robertson, Stockton, and Nash are all within the Corridor of Fame, and Paul, Westbrook, and Rondo will doubtless be a part of them quickly. 

At solely 24 years outdated, it’s a lot too early to make any definitive statements about Haliburton’s profession legacy, though he ought to be thought-about probably the greatest passers within the NBA, proper up there with Younger, Doncic, and Nikola Jokic.

Haliburton is anticipated to finish the Bucks’ season

With Damian Lillard out for the remainder of the 12 months with a torn Achilles, the Pacers received’t want their finest perimeter defenders roving the courtroom, which means Haliburton might very doubtless lead the crew in minutes in Recreation 5.

Within the deciding elimination sport, Haliburton is anticipated to proceed to shoulder the playmaking load, the place he excels, and with much less strain on protection, ought to be capable of create for himself, as properly.

Whereas his playmaking has been practically flawless by the primary 4 video games, his scoring has been disappointing. 15.5 factors is nothing to criticize, though he’s taking pictures solely 40.7% from the ground, down considerably from his season common of 47.3%.

The Pacers all however have their collection in opposition to the Bucks wrapped up, and are eight-point favorites heading into the elimination sport. Nevertheless, in a second-round matchup in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana will want its star to be at his finest.