Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has learned just how rare NBA Finals appearances are — thanks to a reality check from Hall of Famer Steve Nash. The moment reshaped how he’s approaching the Pacers’ first Finals run in 25 years.
With Indiana holding a 1-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder after Haliburton’s clutch game-winner, he’s making sure not to take the stage for granted.
Nash’s Reality Check Changes Haliburton’s Finals Mindset
Haliburton’s talk with two-time MVP Steve Nash gave him some serious perspective. The Pacers guard admitted he was shocked to hear that someone of Nash’s stature had never made it to the Finals.
“I’m just really cherishing this moment and enjoying what I’m doing right now.”
Tyrese Haliburton on not taking this moment for granted 💯 pic.twitter.com/YD69BBWre0
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 7, 2025
“I had a great conversation with Steve Nash a couple days ago, and he said, ‘Hey, you’re in rare air, I’ve never been there.’ I thought, ‘Damn, Steve Nash has never been to the Finals? That’s pretty crazy.’ Some guys don’t get the chance to do that,” Haliburton said.
It hit home. Despite Nash winning MVPs in 2005 and 2006 with the Phoenix Suns, he never made it past the Western Conference Finals in his 18-year career.
Haliburton added, “The sense of urgency for Indiana fans and for everybody should be heightened because, you know, we always talk about [how] you never know when you’ll get this moment again or if you’ll get this moment again.”
From Early Season Doubts to Finals Push
Haliburton’s mindset shift feels even bigger considering how the Pacers started the 2024-25 season. Indiana opened 10-15 by December, and Haliburton himself struggled early on.
The All-Star guard shot just 38% from the field and 29% from three through the first 15 games, averaging 15.3 points and 8.5 assists.
“As the season went on, especially early in the year, we weren’t having success. I thought more and more about how I took last year for granted, the chance to go to the Eastern Conference Finals,” Haliburton said.
“That’s not even just a Finals thing. That’s a life thing, right? We take every day for granted as human beings. We go to sleep and we wake up, and we take that for granted. We take for granted that my legs work and that I’m breathing and I’m healthy and all those things,” he added.
The Pacers’ turnaround has been remarkable. Since that 10-15 start, Indiana has gone 52-21, showing what they’re capable of when healthy and locked in.
Haliburton’s career numbers — 17.5 points and 8.8 assists per game — already show his value. He’s made two All-NBA Third Teams, and this postseason, his big-shot resume has grown. He’s knocked down 13 of 15 shots in clutch moments — game-tying, lead-taking or game-winning attempts in the final two minutes or overtime.
That conversation with Nash clearly stuck with him. Heading into Game 2, Haliburton’s playing with the understanding that these chances don’t come around often — and that talent alone doesn’t guarantee anything in the NBA.
