Before Game 5 of the Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton Issues a Message

“This Is for Indy”: Tyrese Haliburton Delivers Powerful Message Ahead of Game 5 of Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals

Indianapolis, IN – June 15, 2025 — With the 2025 NBA Finals hanging in the balance and the Indiana Pacers on the brink of history, All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton took a moment before the high-stakes Game 5 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder to deliver an emotional and rallying message — not just to his teammates, but to the city of Indianapolis and Pacers fans around the world.

“We’re not just playing for ourselves,” Haliburton said at a pregame press conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “We’re playing for this city. We’re playing for the people who’ve stuck with us, who believed in us through all the ups and downs. This is for Indy.”

The message, simple yet stirring, captured the spirit of a franchise on the verge of rewriting its legacy. It’s the Pacers’ first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000, and a championship would mark the first NBA title in the organization’s history. With the series tied at 2-2, Game 5 has become the defining moment of a Finals that has lived up to every ounce of hype — full of drama, youth, grit, and a level of intensity rarely seen in recent years.

For Haliburton, this moment has been years in the making.

After being traded from Sacramento to Indiana in 2022, the Iowa State product has blossomed into the face of the Pacers franchise. Known for his dazzling court vision, unselfish playmaking, and high basketball IQ, Haliburton also brings leadership beyond the stat sheet. And now, with the eyes of the basketball world upon him, he’s stepping even further into that role — as a player and a voice.

“I wanted people to know where my heart is,” Haliburton said after shootaround. “Yeah, we’ve got a game plan. Yeah, we’re studying film and prepping. But at the end of the day, this is about pride. About believing in what we’ve built here.”

The timing of Haliburton’s statement couldn’t have been more perfect. After a blowout loss in Game 3 and a gritty bounce-back win in Game 4 in Oklahoma City, the Finals have swung like a pendulum. The Pacers have leaned on their defensive identity, a surprisingly balanced bench, and timely heroics from rising stars like Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard — but it’s been Haliburton who has anchored the team emotionally.

His message wasn’t a fiery locker-room rant or viral social media post. It was calm, measured, but no less powerful — a reflection of the player himself. “I’m not out here making speeches for show,” Haliburton clarified. “This is just real. I know what this team, this city, this journey means.”

Back in January, few expected Indiana to be playing in mid-June, let alone tied 2-2 in the NBA Finals. The Pacers finished the regular season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 49–33 record. Their path to the Finals included upsets over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, including a memorable Game 7 road win in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Through it all, Haliburton has been at the center of it.

Despite battling a lingering hamstring injury earlier in the postseason, he’s returned to form at the perfect time. In the Finals alone, he’s averaging 19.3 points, 9.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game — his fingerprints on nearly every important play.

Teammates say Haliburton’s pre-Game 5 message isn’t unusual — it’s who he is every day. “Ty just always finds the right words,” said veteran forward Pascal Siakam. “It’s not fake. He lives this stuff. He really bleeds Indiana blue and gold now.”

Head coach Rick Carlisle echoed those sentiments. “Tyrese understands the moment,” Carlisle said. “He’s not just a floor general. He’s a tone-setter, a cultural leader. That message? That’s who he is — focused, committed, and playing for something bigger than himself.”

Off the court, Haliburton has become beloved in Indianapolis for his community involvement, his easygoing personality, and his visible passion for the franchise. He’s made appearances at high schools, hosted charity events, and even held free clinics for underprivileged youth. Now, his on-court leadership is matching his off-court dedication.

With Game 5 set to tip off in front of a sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, fans are already responding to Haliburton’s words. T-shirts bearing the phrase “This Is for Indy” have begun circulating outside the arena. Social media is flooded with support, with hashtags like #ForIndy, #HaliburtonHeart, and #PacersPride trending regionally.

“He’s everything we could’ve hoped for and more,” said longtime season ticket holder Marvin Yates. “When we lost Paul George, it felt like our soul left. Tyrese brought it back. This run feels like redemption.”

The message also resonates with former Pacers legends, many of whom will be in attendance for Game 5. Reggie Miller, who led Indiana to the 2000 NBA Finals, praised Haliburton’s leadership. “He gets it,” Miller said on TNT’s Inside the NBA. “It’s not about the stats — it’s about what you mean to your team and your city. That’s legacy. That’s what Tyrese is building.”

Still, nothing is guaranteed. The Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, are no pushovers. Their athleticism, spacing, and youth have made them one of the most exciting teams in the league — and a nightmare matchup for traditional defenses.

But Haliburton knows what’s at stake.

“This series isn’t going to be handed to anybody,” he said. “We have to earn every minute, every loose ball, every possession. But I wouldn’t want to be doing it with anyone else but this team and this city.”

As Game 5 looms, Indiana stands on the precipice of a sports renaissance. For a city known more for its racing tracks and college hoops pedigree, the Pacers’ championship pursuit feels personal — almost spiritual.

And at the center of it all is Tyrese Haliburton — not just a point guard, but a symbol of what belief, perseverance, and heart can do.

One game at a time. One message at a time.

This is for Indy.