What the Haliburton: Pacers’ 2025 Playoff Run

I’ve been a Warriors fan for as long as I can remember, but the Indiana Pacers have always held a special place in my heart. I was born in Indiana, so even though I’ve cheered for Steph and the Dubs through all their championship years, there’s always been a quiet love for the Pacers that never went away. I still remember how much I loved watching Victor Oladipo during his time in Indy. That 2018 playoff run had me fully locked in. He played with so much passion and gave Pacers fans hope again. So this year, when the 2025 playoffs came around and Indiana made their surprise run, I couldn’t help but get invested all over again.

This team felt different. Tyrese Haliburton completely won me over. He wasn’t just making flashy passes or knocking down threes; he was leading. Every game he played in felt electric, and he made the players around him better. The Pacers played fun, fast, and fearless basketball. You could feel the confidence they had every time they stepped on the court. Watching Tyrese grow into a superstar, especially on this kind of stage, reminded me of why I love the game. Even though I’ll always ride with the Warriors, I found myself cheering just as hard for this Pacers team. They gave Indiana something to believe in again, and it felt special.

Then came Game 7. Tyrese went down, and everything just stopped. It reminded me instantly of Kevin Durant’s injury in the 2019 Finals. That same sick feeling in your stomach when you realize something terrible just happened. Haliburton had been the heart of this team, and seeing him go out like that was heartbreaking. He didn’t just leave the game, he left behind a dream that felt within reach. You could see it in the faces of the fans, the players, and even people online who weren’t even Pacers fans. It was one of those moments that hit the whole basketball world. Still, even with that setback, the Pacers fought until the end, and that’s what made them so easy to root for. Tyrese has earned my respect forever, and honestly, I’ll always be a fan of this team. The 2025 Pacers reminded me that basketball isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about heart, belief, and the moments that stay with you long after the final buzzer.