'You won over millions of new fans': ESPN writer to Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton after injury
ESPN's Brian Windhorst isn't done complimenting Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
Windhorst appeared on "First Take" and spoke about Haliburton's Achilles injury in a Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
"One of the biggest heartbreaking things about this whole situation is he was playing great," Windhorst said. "The thing about Haliburton that we know is that when he gets off to great starts, he can do anything. I'd hate to even say this, but he might have scored 40 points in this game. We'll never know, but he had nine points in seven minutes. The Thunder were looking a little shaky. It's possible he has a game that is an all-time classic."
Windhorst said that while Haliburton didn't win the game and is facing a long recovery, he did win something.
Re-live the Pacers incredible postseason run with our commemorative book
"You won over millions of new fans," Windhorst said. "Because if you didn't know Tyrese Haliburton and the type of player he is and the type of clutch player he is, you know him now after seeing those shots."
Windhorst also said Haliburton "won over the respect of everybody in this league."
"They all respect what you did," Windhorst said. "There have been this little moment where there was this overrated thing, whatever that poll is. He put a good face on it, but I'm sure he felt a certain way about it. Well, that's over. Tyrese may not have gotten the championship, but he made a statement for the rest of his life for the way he handled himself over this situation and over the last two months."
Get IndyStar's Pacers coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Pacers Update newsletter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC 317 live updates: Time, streaming for Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira card
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira has another shot at the title. Oliveira (35-10-0) will face off against former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Oliveira (16-0-0) at UFC 317 for the Lightweight title, which was vacated after champion Islam Makhachev moved up to the Welterweight division. Oliveira previously held the UFC Featherweight title from May 2021 to May 2022, when he was stripped of the belt ahead of his second title defense after missing weight by half a pound. It marked the first time in UFC history that a defending champion lost a title due to missing weight. Meanwhile, Topuria vacated his Featherweight title in April to move up to lightweight. USA TODAY Sports will have live updates and analysis through the night so follow here: UFC 317: Time, PPV, streaming for Oliveira vs. Oliveira The match between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Oliveira will take place on Saturday, June 28 and can be purchased on ESPN+ PPV. Catch UFC action with an ESPN+ subscription
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Report: No certainty 2025-26 season will be LeBron James' last in NBA
Sunday, June 29, is the deadline for LeBron James to let the Los Angeles Lakers know whether he intends to play on the final year of his contract, which would expire a year from now, or opt out in order to sign a slightly longer new contract. He has a $52.6 million player option for next season. Many seem to think that if he opts in to the player option, next season will be his last in the NBA. It would be his 23rd campaign in the league, which would set a new record, and he could very well continue to play at a superstar level after making the All-NBA Second Team this season. But according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, there is "no certainty" that next season will be James' finale. "But before his return to the court, he had been training in the weight room with his son, Lakers guard Bronny James, sources told ESPN, their first extended offseason together after last summer's Paris Olympics," McMenamin wrote. "And while James has considered retirement every offseason since 2023, a source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN that at this point, James is not entering next season with any certainty that it will be his last." James, 40, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game this season and continued to shoot well from both the field and from beyond the 3-point line. He has apparently recovered from a MCL sprain he reportedly suffered in the Lakers' final playoff game and was seen back on the court last weekend.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Steelers coach admits Aaron Rodgers is tough on receivers — but welcomes the challenge
Aaron Rodgers is known for demanding perfection of wide receivers, but Steelers WR coach Zach Azzanni isn't backing down from it — he welcomes the challenge. Speaking to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Azzanni explained why he doesn't just tolerate Rodgers intensity with the receivers — he embraces it: "I love that challenge," Azzanni said. "I like that. I'd rather have someone that's dialed into the detail in the perimeter, and those guys ultimately have to be on the same page. I understand that he's hard on receivers, and I like that because I'm hard on receivers." Arguably, the most infamous example of his demanding nature was evident in his public criticism of then-Jets WR Mike Williams for running the wrong route — which led the wide receiver taking subtle jabs at the quarterback on social media. Former Super Bowl champion DE Chris Long warned that DK Metcalf could find himself in Rodgers' crosshairs if he can't meet his expectations — but clearly, Azzanni is excited for the opportunity for his receivers to be held to a higher standard. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
