Tyrese Haliburton named to 2023 All-Star team

Haliburton, 22, is an All-Star for the first time, and he becomes the Indiana Pacers' fourth player named to the game in the last decade.

Tyrese Haliburton watches film with assistant Ronald Nored before every game.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was named a 2023 NBA All-Star.

The NBA announced the 14 reserves Thursday night and Haliburton is part of the group, which was voted on by NBA head coaches.

“He’s just a guy that’s fun to watch play,” Rick Carlisle said pregame on Thursday. “He plays with an exuberance and a joy, and he’s constantly connecting people on the floor.

“He’s had an amazing run in the first half of the season.”

The other six reserves in the Eastern Conference: Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday, Julius Randle.

After practice on Tuesday, Haliburton talked about potentially being named an All-Star for the first time.

“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had a really good year. Obviously, it’s a life goal of mine to be an All-Star. I feel like I’ve done the right things to make that happen, but that decisions not up to me and if it happens, cool. I’m really excited and can’t wait.”

Haliburton returned to the lineup on Thursday after being out the last three weeks with injuries to his left knee and left elbow. The Pacers lost nine of 10 games while he was out.

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Reaction from The Fieldhouse as Haliburton is announced as an NBA All-Star minutes before tip-off

The news dropped during team introductions before the Pacers hosted the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I find the coach’s vote to be very, very pure,” Carlisle added. “Coaches look at things through a lens of achievement and winning and things like that, which I think really purifies the process. Whatever 14 guys get named tonight, I really feel good that it’s all come from the right place.”

The Pacers will now have representatives all three nights at All-Star Weekend.

• Friday: Rookies Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard are participants in the Rising Stars games.

• Saturday: Buddy Hield is expected to compete in the 3-point contest, according to league sources.

• Sunday: Haliburton in the All-Star game.

The Pacers have had four players in All-Star games over the last decade: Paul George (4x), Victor Oladipo (2x) and Domantas Sabonis (2x).

Haliburton is averaging 20.2 points and 10.2 assists per game this season while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.