The ongoing debate about Tyrese Haliburton‘s standing as a potential NBA superstar has stirred much conversation this season, with opinions divided on whether he has reached that elite tier. Stephen A. Smith, a prominent NBA analyst, has been cautious to label Haliburton a superstar, though the guard’s performance in the Pacers’ critical Game 6 victory might shift that perspective. Haliburton’s impact in Game 6 win demonstrated his influence on the court despite ongoing questions about his superstar status.
Stephen A.’s Reservations About Haliburton’s Superstar Label
Smith has consistently praised Haliburton’s skills and future promise but has maintained that he remains short of the level of players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Nikola Jokic. He has also defended Haliburton from criticism, countering claims that Haliburton is overrated.
“You got a whole bunch of haters in the NBA calling him overrated. He’s not overrated! The brother can ball,”
Stephen A. stated. However, Smith pointed out Haliburton’s inconsistency throughout the season, noting that
“There have been at least 13 or 14 games this year where he scored in single digits, that’s not a superstar in this league.”
Haliburton’s Resilience Shines in Injury-Shortened Game 6 Performance
Despite carrying an injury to his calf, Haliburton’s 23 minutes on the court were filled with key contributions that helped the Indiana Pacers secure a 108-91 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder and push the series to a decisive Game 7. On SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, Stephen A. praised Haliburton’s effort under difficult conditions:
“Haliburton deserves a boatload of credit tonight for the way that he played. Obviously, that calf was sore, he’s not a 100%, you were questioning what he’s gonna have to give you.”
Haliburton’s performance included steals, critical passes, and deep three-point shots, which set the tone early in the game. This confident play sparked Indiana’s dominance, effectively shutting down the Thunder’s comeback attempts.
Support from Teammates Helps Maintain Pacers’ Momentum
In addition to Haliburton’s standout effort, Stephen A. acknowledged the significant contributions from other Pacers players who helped sustain the team’s momentum. He highlighted Andrew Nembhard’s early impact by scoring two important baskets and lauded T.J. McConnell’s consistent positive influence off the bench throughout the series.
“Nembhard got them started early, he hit two big buckets as well. T.J. McConnell, I can’t say enough about him. Every time this dude has come off the bench in this series, he has been an additive, a huge plus, and he certainly was tonight,”
Smith commented.
Looking Ahead to a Pivotal Game 7 at Paycom Center
The Pacers’ commanding performance in Game 6 has raised anticipation for the upcoming decisive Game 7, scheduled to take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Stephen A. admitted his renewed excitement for the matchup, something he rarely expresses for a road game: he unexpectedly finds himself eager to visit Oklahoma for the final contest of the season. The outcome of this game will determine the future course of the Pacers’ playoff run and possibly affect Haliburton’s standing in the ongoing superstar conversation.