Tyrese Haliburton made a small appearance on the big stage.
The Pacers star disappeared when they needed him the most during a 121-91 loss to the Knicks in Game 5 of the second round.
The All-Star failed as both an offensive force and a team leader.
“We have to do a better job of coming together as a group.… [We got] It’s a little crazy,” Halliburton said. “Obviously, we have a great environment in the Garden…but we have to do a better job of coming together as a group. In the first quarter we felt divided, but after that We didn’t do it right. We need to come together as a group and do a better job, and that starts with me as a leader.”
Haliburton, who had excelled in the previous three games, had just 13 points and five assists, his minus-22 rating the worst of any Indiana starter.
“We have to work more aggressively,” Haliburton said. “I think it goes back to Game 1. I said the same thing after Game 1. I’m more responsible for myself than what other people are doing.” So we’ll fix it in the next game.
“We didn’t do what we needed to do today. We’ll be better in Game 6.”
Haliburton, who lost the first game due to a back problem, was helpless, scoring just six points on six shots.
But over the next three games, the point guard rebounded to average 29.7 points, shoot .550, and make 17 of 37 from deep.
That’s the Haliburton they needed Tuesday.
They couldn’t understand him.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs
The Haliburton they acquired was tentative, dribbling around the perimeter, not going downhill, and not playing defense.
“Yes, my performance in the first half was terrible and I couldn’t get the ball out of the way.” [Jalen] Brunson’s and my hands split, but it didn’t affect the ball, but he avoided me a few times,” Haliburton said. “That’s obviously what worked for them. They’re going to continue that in Game 6. So watch the film and see where you can improve and improve for the next game. ”
For Haliburton to have more success on Friday, the Pacers will need to make a run. And that means they need to be protected.
“Without stops and rebounds, our game is not going to be good. We’re not going to be able to get the ball out. All of our playmakers aren’t going to get the opportunity to get the ball in their hands and attack,” said the Pacers. Coach Rick Carlisle said. “When you get the ball out of the net, you get through a tough battle.”
Haliburton needs to run to perform well. But Indiana was getting the ball out of the basket all night, so they were quicker out of the locker room after the game than they were in transition all night.
“What we’re good at offensively is transitioning and running, but it’s hard to do that when you’re taking the ball out of the net on every play,” Haliburton said. . “Offensively, the thing that hurt me the most was rebounding because I had never played in transition. Those two things go hand in hand.”
