Tyrese Haliburton and teammates dish out assists, stay winning away from the court
Tyrese Haliburton and teammates dish out assists, stay winning away from the court
Entering the season of giving, the Pacers hosted nearly 1,000 locals in need for a warm Thanksgiving meal, fun activities and more on Thursday.
Tyrese Haliburton was walking his dog, Ames, around the neighborhood Thursday morning when he was stopped by a fan gushing with praise for the team and his play. No matter where he goes, from the gas station or to a restaurant, there’s a lot of buzz for what’s happening with the Blue & Gold right now.
“Oh, 100%. You can feel it all throughout the city,” Haliburton acknowledged. “There’s definitely a lot of excitement for the team right now and we want to keep it rolling.”
The Pacers started the season 7-4 and they’ve won four of their past five games. The offense is the most productive in the league, number one in points and assists, making them a fun watch on League Pass for basketball fans everywhere.
The big-picture goal is to reach the postseason. However, Haliburton and the team know they’ve got to continue with their approach and keep the noise out, even if it is positive. After all, it’s still very early.
“We’re one of the best offenses in the NBA and we don’t plan on slowing down on that end,” he said. “If we get stops, people don’t want to run with us. It’s tough to sustain for 48 minutes so we just gotta keep doing that on a nightly basis and taking it one game at a time. We’re getting a lot of love and a lot of hype from people nationally and locally. That can be a poison in a sense. You got to let it go in one ear and out the other and continue to do what we do.”
What better way to stay grounded and true to who you are than giving back and helping others in need?
After practice on Thursday, the team took the underground tunnel from their practice facility to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a special event. Better yet, one of the best events they will help out with all year. I’ve attended every year for more than a decade.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment held their 26th annual “Come To Our House” Thanksgiving dinner for nearly 1,000 locals of all ages experiencing homelessness. And for the second straight year, Haliburton served as the official host.
“To have my name on it is an honor and a huge responsibility for me,” he said. “It means the world that I’m allowed to do that.