Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton ended a historically successful November on Thursday night, a month rivaled only by two of the greatest players in NBA history.
The 23-year-old scored a career-high 44 points in Thursday’s loss to the Miami Heat, shooting 15 of 28 from the field (6 of 16 from 3-point range) and dishing out 10 assists.
Haliburton has scored at least 12 points in every game this season (he missed the team’s Nov. 1 loss to the Boston Celtics) and has scored at least 12 points in all but one game this fall. Sent 8 assists. Haliburton scored at least 20 points in 10 of 13 games in November and hit at least five 3-pointers seven times during the month.
It’s surprising to see the Iowa State product’s name listed alongside LeBron James and Michael Jordan, but his meteoric rise isn’t exactly stunning.
Haliburton is coming off his first All-Star season in 2022-23, a year in which he averaged career highs in points (20.7) and assists (10.4) in 56 games. His field goal percentage reached a career-high 49.0% and his free throw percentage reached 87.1%.
The former first-team Rookie of the Year is averaging career highs in points (27.0) and assists (league-best 11.8) through the first 16 games of the season and is hitting a career-best .519/.447/ .880 field goal percentage outstanding.
Haliburton and small forward Buddy Hield were traded to the Pacers in February 2022 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings.