‘Overrate That He Says’ – Tyrese Haliburton Turns into a Laughing Inventory After Abysmal 4-PT Show vs. Cavaliers in Sport 3
What started as a press release collection for Tyrese Haliburton has now morphed right into a cautionary story: after torching opponents by way of two electrifying playoff outings, the Indiana Pacers’ All-Star level guard was held to a scant 4 factors in Sport 3 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, reworking from main man to punchline in a single day.
Cleveland’s ferocious second-quarter blitz set the tone for a 126–104 rout at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. For Haliburton, Sport 3’s ignominious efficiency is a stark reminder that even the brightest stars can flicker.
The fallout has been swift—social media’s “overrated” jibes have come full circle, and even Tyrese’s once-glorious rallying cry of “Overrate THAT” now echoes with irony.
Tyrese Haliburton Failed To Break Previous Cavaliers in Sport 3
Coming into Sport 3, Haliburton had averaged 30.5 factors and 15 assists within the first two contests. But on Friday, he managed simply 4 factors on 2-of-8 capturing with 5 assists, marking his first sub-10-point playoff efficiency of the season.
Reuters reported that Indiana’s coach, Rick Carlisle, lamented, “This was a really poor effort at first of the sport, by way of too many elements of the sport. Fairly clearly, I didn’t have these guys prepared for this. (Haliburton) had a tough recreation.”
It was a uncommon home-court postseason loss for Haliburton, who has in any other case been practically flawless at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Cavaliers exploded out of the gates. Their technique was twofold: crowd Haliburton with bodily ball-screens and exploit mismatches with Mitchell’s isolation prowess. The consequence was a 25–4 run to shut the second quarter that deflated the Pacers.
Donovan Mitchell spearheaded the onslaught, drilling 5 threes on 13 makes an attempt and ending 14-of-29 from the sector for a playoff-high 43 factors. Max Strus added 20 factors and 7 rebounds, whereas Jarrett Allen dominated inside with 19 factors and 12 boards.
The Cavs outmuscled Indiana on the glass, proudly owning a 56–37 rebounding edge (together with 18 offensive boards) that fueled 22 second-chance factors.
Indiana’s meager response couldn’t stem the tide. Regardless of a spirited 22–29 run to shut the primary quarter, they have been merely outmanned and outworked within the paint. Their solely spark got here within the first interval when Bennedict Mathurin tallied 23 bench factors.
However the Pacers by no means mounted a significant comeback as soon as Cleveland seized management.
Haliburton’s Social Media Roast
After Sport 2, Cavaliers followers chanted “overrated” at Haliburton till “Playoff Donovan” Mitchell silenced them with a sportsmanship gesture—satirically quelling the jeers meant for the Pacers star.
However on social platforms Friday night time, the narrative flipped. NBA Twitter threads lit up with memes highlighting Haliburton’s uncharacteristic meltdown. One X person declared, “Overrate that he says,” underneath Bleacher Report’s official submit.
One other added, “Not a super efficiency out of your max contract chief of the workforce.”
In the meantime, one different commented, “Beneath fee that!”
Such volatility is emblematic of contemporary fandom: in the present day’s hero can develop into tomorrow’s scapegoat.
Pacers and Haliburton Want Pressing Changes
For Tyrese Haliburton, this newest stumble threatens to puncture the aura he’s constructed, reminding everybody that inconsistency stays the best kryptonite—even for a generational expertise.
With the collection shifting again to Indianapolis for Sport 4 on Sunday, Indiana can not afford one other dud if it hopes to reclaim home-court leverage.
Conversely, the Cavaliers goal to construct on Friday’s blueprint. If Mitchell stays dialed in and Cleveland’s supporting solid sustains its power, the Cavs may seize a commanding 3–1 lead earlier than returning house.
Both means, the postseason narrative simply turned infinitely extra compelling: Will Tyrese Haliburton shake off the ridicule and reclaim his All-Star swagger, or will this infamous Sport 3 efficiency hang-out him and the Pacers for the remainder of the playoffs? Solely time—and a fast turnaround—will inform.
