As the Indiana Pacers prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, all eyes are on Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ star point guard. Despite being the cornerstone of Indiana’s roster, Haliburton surprisingly missed out on the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, even after earning All-Star nods in two of his first five seasons. Now, with the Pacers in their first NBA Finals since 2000, Haliburton stands on the cusp of history.
Just before the highly anticipated matchup, Basketball Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce dropped a bold statement on FS1’s Speak. Pierce, a 2008 NBA champion and one of the top 70 players in league history, declared, “If Tyrese Haliburton wins a championship, this will be the biggest leap to superstardom we’ve ever seen in the NBA.” These are weighty words from a player who knows what it takes to shine on the biggest stage, having earned ten All-Star selections and a Finals MVP in 2008.
“If Tyrese Haliburton wins a championship, this will be the biggest leap to superstardom we’ve ever seen in the NBA.”
— @PaulPierce34 pic.twitter.com/NpERRclwKu
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) June 5, 2025
Pierce’s own legacy is cemented by moments like the iconic “Wheelchair Game” during the 2008 NBA Finals. On that day, as recounted by SleeperCeltics, Pierce was carried off the court with a knee injury, only to return in dramatic fashion, finishing with 22 points to lead the Celtics to a Game 1 victory. His resilience earned him the nickname “The Truth” and a place in Celtics lore.
On this day in Celtics history: The Wheelchair Game
2008 Finals, Game 1 — Paul Pierce is carried off the court with a knee injury, wheelchaired to the locker room… then returned to finish with 22 PTS and help lead the Celtics to victory.
A legendary performance from The Truth. pic.twitter.com/bAOYY30ZkP
— SleeperCeltics (@SleeperCeltics) June 5, 2025
The Pacers’ journey to the Finals is a testament to their unique approach. As noted by Front Office Sports, owner Herb Simon, who has led the franchise since 1983, has consistently avoided tanking for draft picks. Instead, the team has built through savvy trades and development, with Haliburton as the centerpiece of their success. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, Indiana has now defied expectations to reach the NBA’s grandest stage.
The Pacers have refused to tank—and it’s paying off.
Herb Simon has owned the team since 1983 and avoided tanking for draft picks, instead trading and building their teams, with star Tyrese Haliburton being a prime example.
Tonight, they play in the NBA Finals.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 5, 2025
As Haliburton steps onto the court tonight, Pierce’s words loom large. A championship could catapult the young star to a level of fame rarely seen in the NBA. For a franchise and a player who have taken the road less traveled, the Finals represent more than just a chance at a title—it’s an opportunity to redefine their legacy.