Reggie Miller on Tyrese Haliburton: 'He risked it all' for Indiana
The Pacers legend praised Haliburton’s heart and loyalty in a new Netflix documentary — reflecting on how the franchise star put everything on the line in Game 7 before suffering a torn Achilles.
Good evening from Indianapolis — the hotbed of sports this year.
A new NBA season is less than a week away. The Pacers are slated to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 23 for their season opener. Until then, they have 1) one more preseason game: Friday, in San Antonio, 2) several roster transactions to process, 3) more practices to build on their chemistry, and 4) players who need to get healthy.
Ben Sheppard, who has been limited in training camp thus far due to a calf strain (as I told you a week ago), is making strides and beginning to ramp up. But they continue to be without many guards: T.J. McConnell, Johnny Furphy, Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones.
Yes, Tyrese Haliburton, as well. He’s been ruled out for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
“We just got to work on everything,” Rick Carlisle said after practice. “The starting point has got to be hard, physical play, rebounding, and possession of the ball…”
Until opening night, here’s something that will be captivating for Pacers fans…
Reggie Miller on Haliburton: “He risked it all.”
Haliburton is smart, outgoing, and great in front of the camera. So it was not a surprise for him to be one of five players chosen to be highlighted on season two of “Starting 5,” a Netflix documentary on five NBA players — on and off the court.
Haliburton has a big personality. He’s a family man — fiercely loyal, and despite having family support, a max contract in the NBA, a fiancé and more — he, too, has struggles.
Right now, that struggle is the rehab from a torn Achilles suffered in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. That was nearly four months ago — a moment that changed everything. With the game taken from him for a season, Haliburton is learning to be present, to cope with not playing, and to deal with being unable to physically help his team on the court.
For the last year, cameras have been with Haliburton. Through the highs and lows. The media-savvy Haliburton suggested posting a teaser to the doc, so he did on Tuesday — and opened with an intro recorded in the Pacers’ video room at the Ascension St. Vincent Center.
“We want to give you guys a sneak peek of a clip from my final interview that we felt like would be good to share, especially give you guys an early look,” he said. “Appreciate you guys for all the well wishes. It’s been a crazy last four months for me. But I’m getting better. I’m getting there. So I appreciate all you guys.”
The teaser opens up with Pacers legend Reggie Miller, a Hall of Famer, answering what he would say to those who still doubt or question Haliburton.
All I will say is, look at Game 6 and Game 7 of the NBA Finals. There will never ever be a question of a guy’s heart, will, determination, his game. No one will ever second guess any decision that he ever makes again. He risked it all. He risked it all for a franchise, for a state, for an organization.
How many guys in life, how many women in life are willing to risk it all? Risk it all.
This comes back, [a] full-circle moment to what’s it like to be a Hoosier and to play in Indiana. I’m not playing for myself. I’m playing for that dude, playing for that dude, I’m playing for these people. That’s what it’s like to be an Indiana Pacers. So thank you, Tyrese.
Indeed, Haliburton risked it all. It’s a decision he doesn’t regret, but certainly thinks about all the time.
Many athletes talk about putting it all on the line — for themselves, for the team, and for fans. Haliburton did exactly that.
Haliburton felt great in Game 6 and better going in Game 7. “I think I have to be as smart as I want to be,” he said then. “Have to understand the risks, ask the right questions. I’m a competitor; I want to play.”
But then his right Achilles snapped in the opening quarter and he knew it right away, smacking the floor with his hand 12 times.
“I’m gonna work my ass off to get back there and I’m gonna do it in a Pacer uniform,” Haliburton said.
Since being acquired by the Pacers in 2022, he has built a strong relationship with Miller. It was the late David Benner — the longtime PR guru for the team who would have turned 70 years old this Sunday — who introduced them.
Miller, now a game analyst for NBC, keeps closer tabs on Indiana because of Haliburton — through Haliburton
Text, calls, visits.
Haliburton pulled out the choke sign at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks with Miller sitting courtside as an analyst for TNT. He made a shot to force overtime in Game 1, which the Pacers went on to win. The game and the series.
Miller was drafted by the Pacers and only played for the blue and gold.
Haliburton is now the franchise player, the highest-paid employee in company history. This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at his big personality, the struggles and celebrations — both personally and professionally.