Global sports brand PUMA announced today the signing ofNBA All StarTyrese Haliburton to its basketball roster. Haliburton brings his exceptional talent and unmatched energy to the PUMA Hoops family.
A two-time NBA All-Star for 2023 and 2024, 2024 NBA Assists Leader of theYear,All-NBA Team member in 2024,2021 NBA All-Rookie First Team and most recently a 2024 Paris Olympics Gold Medalist for theUSA Basketball Men’s Olympic Team, Haliburton has consistently showcased his elite skills on the court. Known for his exceptional passing, scoring ability, and electric style of play, Haliburton has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting young players.
“I’m super excited to announce that I’ve joined the PUMA Family,” said Haliburton. “I look forward to being a part of their commitment to the next generation of basketball. PUMA’s vision and dedication to supporting athletes align perfectly with my goals and I’m excited to represent the brand on and off the court.”
Haliburton’s signing marks asignificant milestone for PUMA Hoops as the brand solidifies its position as a leader in basketball.PUMA Hoops is dedicated to empowering the next generation of basketball stars. “Since day one, we’ve always focused on the next generation of basketball at PUMA. Tyrese is not only defining his own generation, but also is shaping the future of the game for many more to come,” said Max Staiger, Global Head of Basketball at PUMA. “We’re extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tyrese to continue working on our disruptive next-gen approach to basketball.”
Haliburton will be seen on NBA courts sporting PUMA’s latest performance technology shoe, the All-Pro NITRO. Designed to deliver unmatched comfort, support, and responsiveness, the All-Pro NITRO is the perfect shoe for athletes who demand the best.
Global sports brand PUMA has announced the signing of NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to its basketball roster. Haliburton, a two-time NBA All-Star in 2023 and 2024 and the NBA Assists Leader of the Year for 2024, joins the PUMA Hoops family as one of the league’s most exciting rising stars.
“I’m super excited to announce that I’ve joined the PUMA family,” said Haliburton. “I look forward to being a part of their commitment to the next generation of basketball. PUMA’s vision and dedication to supporting athletes align perfectly with my goals, and I’m excited to represent the brand on and off the court.”
Known for his exceptional passing, scoring ability, and electrifying style of play, Haliburton has made a name for himself on the court. In addition to his 2024 All-NBA Team honors and being named to the 2021 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Haliburton recently added a 2024 Olympic Gold Medal to his list of achievements with Team USA in Paris.
“Since day one, we’ve always focused on the next generation of basketball at PUMA. Tyrese is not only definiting his own generation, but also is shaping the future of the game for many more to come,” said Max Staiger, Global Head of Basketball at PUMA. “We’re extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tyrese to continue working on our disruptive next-gen approach to basketball.”
Haliburton will hit NBA courts sporting PUMA’s latest performance technology shoe, the All-Pro NITRO. The shoe is designed to deliver unmatched comfort, support, and responsiveness, making it the perfect choice for elite athletes like Haliburton, who demand top-tier performance.
With Haliburton now on its roster, PUMA continues to position itself as a leader in basketball, elevating the brand’s commitment to empowering young athletes.
Two days after a thrilling last-second comeback in Game 1, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics dominated Game 2, securing a 126-110 victory and a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals as the series shifts to Indianapolis.
Brown matched his playoff career-high with 40 points, spearheading Boston’s offensive charge. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each contributed 23 points, with Tatum scoring 11 in the decisive fourth quarter and White sinking four three-pointers. Jrue Holiday added a double-double with 15 points and ten assists, ensuring a well-rounded team performance.
Tatum’s scoring in this playoff run has been remarkable, marking his fifth playoff with over 300 points. In reaching this milestone, he joins Celtics legends Larry Bird (six times), Kevin McHale, Sam Jones, and John Havlicek (five times each). Brown is just three points shy of joining this elite group.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 10 points for the Pacers and provided eight assists before exiting the game with 3:44 left in the third quarter due to injury.
The series moves to Indianapolis, where the Pacers will host Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. The Pacers boast a perfect 6-0 record at home this postseason, while the Celtics remain unbeaten on the road with a 4-0 record.
In order to survive, the Indiana Pacers must-win Game 6 at home. If they don’t, their summer will start unfortunately early for them, and the New York Knicks will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers lost big time last night and were outmatched by a New York Knicks team with several injuries. Jalen Brunson had another stellar game, scoring over 40 for what seems like the 100th time this postseason. The Pacers as a team choked under the pressure. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton especially struggled, and Draymond Green had some words for him post-game.
Tyrese Haliburton was incredibly inactive for the second time in three games in New York, managing just 13 points on nine shots. He needed to find out how to get his game to travel if the Pacers were to have a chance of winning this series because it was a huge difference to the intensity and ferocity he showed at home in Indiana. His performance gives credence to the “front runner” criticism the Pacers have received. Everything is good when they are up, but they shrink when they are behind. Draymond Green issued a challenge for Tyrese to step up in game 6 and be a leader.
While Haliburton is battling a number of injuries, most postseason players, including Knicks star Jalen Brunson, In Games 3 and 4 in Indiana, we witnessed Haliburton discover that additional gear a star needs to display in the playoffs. That gear has largely been out of the equation in New York. Draymond Green and Vince Carter, standing in for Shaq and Charles on Inside the NBA, talked about the messages they would like to send to Haliburton. Draymonds’s message was clear. In a long statement, Draymond said, “You have to come out and compete at a level that says I want to move on.”
Draymond continued his message to Tyrese, saying, “We’re asking you to come out and give an honest effort and compete. When you slap and you stop on the defensive end and give up, you’re letting the other guys down. “ Draymond is adamant that Haliburton has to compete on both ends of the floor to show his teammates he wants to survive and advance. Green Continued, “So he has to come out and compete on both ends of the floor like his life depended on it. Not be lockdown, just show some effort so then the help can get there and help you.” Overall, Draymond’s advice is 100% correct. Haliburton looked like he didn’t want it last night. He has to have that desire if the Indiana Pacers want to move on.
After a lot of trash talk from the Indiana Pacers after their dominant win in Indiana, the Knicks responded in a big way. The Knicks beat the Pacers last night 121-91, completely outplaying their opponent. Jalen Bruson showed out once again. The Knicks PG put up a slight 44 points for another one of his many 40-point games this postseason. The Knicks played with toughness and an edge due to the front running the Pacers displayed in Indiana. Everything was fantastic when the Pacers were up big, and they talked a lot of trash, especially their star player, Tyrese Ahliburton. After last night’s no-show from Tyrese, Joe Budden never wanted to see him put alongside Jalen Brunson.
Tyrese Haliburton had a bad game, and it looked like the lights were too bright. He passed up open shots on multiple occasions, only scoring 13 points in what was a must-win game. When the Pacers needed him to score, Haliburton didn’t stop, and it was super noticeable that he was passive. Many fans looked at Jalen Brunson’s continued heroics in the playoffs as something Tyrese can’t do unless he is up by 30. Joe Budden is done with the Tyrese Haliburton talk.
Joe Budden says the Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson debate is entirely over. One guy has several 40-point games in the postseason, and the other guy has been shrinking against the Knicks. Knicks fans have a sordid history with the Indiana Pacers. There is some legitimate dislike on both sides. Last night, the crowd at MSG really got into the game after Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo and T.J. McConnell got into it, which resulted in the Knicks going on a huge run. The stakes were huge, and the crowd was rowdy, and Tyrese Haliburton was nowhere to be found.
The Knicks now have a 3-2 lead over the Pacers. The series is heading back to Indiana for Game 6, meaning the Knicks can close it out in Indiana. The series has been very entertaining and hard to predict. The Knicks are dealing with several injuries to key players and have rallied to lead the series. Indiana needs Tyrese Haliburton to step up and keep them alive to get to game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
In a commanding performance, the Indiana Pacers surged to a 121-89 victory over the New York Knicks, leveling the playoff series at 2-2 in front of a vibrant Indiana crowd.
Led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 20 points, six Pacers players reached double figures, showcasing their depth and offensive prowess. T.J. McConnell also made a significant impact off the bench, joining an elite group of players with at least 15 points and ten assists in a playoff game.
The Pacers’ dominant display marked their third-largest playoff win in franchise history, with a staggering 32-point margin of victory. Their relentless start saw them establish a commanding 34-14 lead after the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Indiana’s stifling defense held the Knicks to just 33.7% shooting from the floor and 18.9% from beyond the arc. Despite Alec Burks’ 20 points leading New York’s scoring efforts, the Knicks struggled to close the gap against a determined Pacers side.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the action shifts back to Madison Square Garden for what promises to be a thrilling Game 5 showdown on Tuesday. As the iconic playoff rivalry resumes, both teams find themselves in familiar territory, setting the stage for an intense battle in New York City.
With the Pacers facing adversity both in the series and in the final quarter, Tyrese Haliburton delivered a standout performance, scoring a Playoff career-high 35 points to propel Indiana to a pivotal win.
Haliburton’s remarkable performance, which included 23 points in the first half and crucial baskets down the stretch, guided the Pacers to one of their most significant victories in a decade.
Nailing the game home was a game-clinching three from Andrew Nembhard.
In a hard-fought contest, Indiana held off a strong showing from New York’s Donte DiVincenzo, who scored a Playoff career-high 35 points, and Jalen Brunson, who contributed 26 points. Haliburton’s stellar performance earned him a notable place in NBA Playoff history as the fifth player to achieve back-to-back games with 30+ points and 6+ three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Brunson also etched his name in the record books, becoming just the third player in NBA Playoff history to tally over 300 points and 70+ assists in his first nine games, joining legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Despite facing injuries, the Knicks received standout performances from DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Alec Burks. DiVincenzo’s 35-point outing marked a historic achievement for the Knicks, while Hart’s performance mirrored feats accomplished by Patrick Ewing in 1999.
With Game 4 on the horizon, set to tip off at 3:30 ET Sunday on ABC, both teams are poised for another intense battle as they continue their quest for Playoff success.
Fans have taken to social media to wish Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton a “happy sixth birthday” as Haliburton was born on February 29. Haliburton, 24, has technically had six birthdays. Typically he would celebrate his birthday on February 28. The Pacers, as well as Team USA and Iowa State, were amongst the accounts jumping on the trend of wishing Haliburton a happy birthday. Around 363,000 Americans celebrate their birthday on February 29. Do you know anyone who has a Leap Year birthday? Let us know in the comments.
Haliburton is having a standout season. He is averaging 21.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 11.6 assists a game. His assists mark is a league-leading mark at the time of writing. He is also a top-40 point-getter with his 21.4 scoring mark. The Pacers are, at the time of writing, are 34-26. However, that is only good enough for seventh in an incredibly stacked Eastern Conference. Haliburton recently appeared in the All-Star and gained a major new contributor in Pascal Siakam.
Elsewhere, fans continue to roast Haliburton’s pre-game fits. The latest target of the internet’s mockery was Haliburton’s bulky knee-length silver coat, complete with shoulder pads. Fans quickly compared the look to M. Bison, the iconic Street Fighter villain. Within minutes of the comparison being made, someone had recolored the photo of Haliburton to Bison’s iconic red, as well as adding the villain’s signature hat.
Of course, this is just the most recent time that Haliburton’s outfit has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. In January, he was pulled into the beef between Yasiin Bey and Drake after fans noted that a sidelined Haliburton looked a lot like the artist formerly known as Mos Def. “Mos Def hearing “Passionfruit” in Target,” one person wrote on X over a photo of Haliburton appearing to protest a call at a Pacers game. Haliburton has not publicly commented on the pre-fit roasting.
After seeing Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić sit out the Dallas Mavericks’ 2022/23 regular-season finale with the playoffs still attainable for the team, the NBA decided to do something about load management. Baked into the new CBA ratified during the offseason was a revision to the player participation policy. These clauses were designed to keep the league’s best players on the court for as much of the season as possible. These rules revolved around the use of “star players” (defined as an All-Star or All-NBAer from the past three seasons).
Teams can only rest one “star player” per game.
Teams cannot rest any “star player” for nationally televised games or in-season tournament games.
Players must play at least 20 minutes in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards such as MVP and All-NBA teams.
However, the NBA’s plan to create a better TV product has created a worse basketball product. The players are unhappy, the fans are unhappy. And when the biggest players in the league, such as presumptive MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Haliburton, are openly criticizing league policies, it might be a sign to re-evaluate said policies.
If asked, most players will say they that don’t prioritize postseason awards over their long-term health and season-long contributions to their team. However, the league has now forced them into a situation where those awards, nice bonuses to a season well-played, are dependent on an arbitrary participation percentage. Joel Embiid is having one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. But if he will be ruled ineligible for the MVP award if he misses six more games this season. What meaning does the MVP award actually have if the league’s best player is ineligible because he played 64 games and not 65?
Furthermore, the rule can have major financial impacts for players. Tyrese Haliburton is having the best season of his young career. However, the Rest Rule means that the Pacers star could lose out on $40 million if he is ruled ineligible for All-NBA team selection. Earning an All-NBA selection would see him fulfill a rookie contract clause that would raise the ceiling of his max contract extension by the aforementioned $40 million. However, Haliburton has struggled with a spate of midseason injuries. As a result, Haliburton will need to play in 30 of the Pacers’ remaining 34 games to be eligible. Haliburton has been particularly vocal about the rule, calling it “stupid” and “something that the owners want”.
The end result is further disincentivizing players from pursuing postseason awards. If the eligibility criteria are this strict, why would any player play with the awards in mind over prioritizing their career longevity? It’s a sentiment that Embiid himself has already acknowledged. “The goal is to be ready for the playoffs. If I can’t meet the criteria of 65 games … as long as I’m ready to be dominant in that time in April, that’s all I care about,” Embiid told reporters in January.
Meanwhile, the rule ignores a crucial reality about professional sport – player rotation is vital to long-term success. The NBA season is 82 games long with multiple games for each team in a given week. And given the ebbs and floes of a typical season, every game is not made equal. Take Embiid’s Sixers – between February 23 and March 3, four of their five games are nationally televised. According to the NBA’s Rest Rule, that means that Embiid must played all of four of those games for at least 20 minutes. Howeer, he could be rested for the one non-televised game against Charlotte. Sounds reasonable right? But things immediately fall apart when a team has more than one “star player”. The Timberwolves only have two televised games over that same span but they have 4 “star players” as well as four games against playoff teams.
What this leads to is 82-game seasons becoming a war of attrition. The end of the season should be the most exciting time of the year. Games often decide divisional battles and playoff seedings. But if players are being forced to play as much as they can physically handle, fans get treated to season-ending slogfests between guys trying to fill league-mandated quotas while also trying to converse something for the playoffs. While not a 1:1 comparison – no one bats an eye at rotation in a sport like soccer. This is despite soccer teams playing vastily shorter seasons. Manchester City won three trophies across five competitions last season and still only played 61 games.
As a result of the Rest Rule, the NBA is attempting to turn every player into an ironman. Furthermore, this is done for no other reason than the owners wanting players to “earn” every cent of their contract.
Barring an U-turn from the league, the Rest Rule is likely here to stay. But that doesn’t mean it has to remain the same. A more lenient eligibility cap would go a long way to reduce the ironman mentality that many players are currently facing. A more drastic solution would be to expand the size of NBA rosters to reduce the level of attrition imposed on squads.
But do you think – are you a fan of the rest rule? Are you siding with the players and want it gone next season? Let us know in the comments.
Another day, another Tyrese Haliburton pre-game fit getting roasted online. This time, the target of the internet’s mockery was Haliburton’s bulky knee-length silver coat, complete with shoulder pads. Fans quickly compared the look to M. Bison, the iconic Street Fighter villain. Within minutes of the comparison being made, someone had recolored the photo of Haliburton to Bison’s iconic red, as well as adding the villain’s signature hat.
Of course, this is just the most recent time that Haliburton’s outfit has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. In January, he was pulled into the beef between Yasiin Bey and Drake after fans noted that a sidelined Haliburton looked a lot like the artist formerly known as Mos Def. “Mos Def hearing “Passionfruit” in Target,” one person wrote on X over a photo of Haliburton appearing to protest a call at a Pacers game.
Elsewhere, Haliburton was officially named an All-Star starter this week. It’s the second All-Star nod of his young career after also earning the honor in 2023. Haliburton joins Giannis, Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum. The All-Star Game takes place on February 18 on Haliburton’s home court in Indianapolis.
Earlier in the season, Haliburton got a shoutout from Lillard after hitting the Bucks star’s signature celebration against him. “I learned as a kid, when you dish it out, you’ve got to be willing to take it. For as many times as I’ve done it to people, I can’t be upset when somebody else does it, you know what I mean. I think that’s also a sign of respect and acknowledgment for knowing my history and knowing what I do. I didn’t mind it. It was what it was. I’ve also known that, you know, when you are having your moment, it’s important to be careful, to be humble in your moments because you just never know how the tables are going to turn or when they are going to turn. I respected it. We shook hands after the game. I wasn’t moved by it left or right,” Lillard said.
(@Tommy_W1587)