The Indiana Pacers surprisingly began the 2024 NBA season simply 2-4, dropping 4 of their final 5 video games. After a resurgent 2023-24 season during which the Pacers superior to the Jap Convention Finals, they failed to realize the identical success in early 2024.
One of many foremost causes for his or her poor begin to the season has been the sluggish begin of star level guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has not seemed like the identical participant by means of the primary six video games of the season. Haliburton broke out over the previous two seasons, changing into one of many faces of the NBA as he led the league in assists per sport.
To start out this season, Haliburton is averaging 14.0 factors, 4.5 rebounds and seven.3 assists per sport. None of those numbers are horrible, however they signify a step down from Haliburton’s averages over the previous two seasons. His tough begin was summed up by one of many worst outings of his profession in opposition to the New York Knicks when Haliburton failed to attain a single level.
One NBA government believes Haliburton does not have the “pop” he performed with for many of final season.
“Final yr he was stopping simply inside half courtroom and burying pictures. He is simply not enjoying with the identical pop this yr,” the chief stated, by way of Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
In line with Windhorst, Haliburton thrived final season when he was one of many 10 quickest gamers within the NBA. Haliburton is transferring half a mile per hour slower initially of this season.
Haliburton has suffered leg and hamstring accidents this yr, notably in the direction of the tip of his run with Workforce USA on the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s unclear if this has impacted motion and Haliburton’s performances initially of the season.
In fact, there’s nonetheless loads of time for Haliburton and the Pacers to enhance their efficiency this season. They confirmed their life in a 135-132 victory over the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, however have but to win back-to-back video games this season after dropping their subsequent sport to the New York Pelicans. Orleans.
Haliburton and the Pacers subsequent play after they tackle the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
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