Tyreese Halliburton and Shy Gilgauss Alexander headed straight in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Halliburton took the Indiana Pacers to the final round of the playoffs, giving an incredible postseason performance, including shots that won in several games.
On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander led the fantastic Oklahoma City lightning roster to the best regular season record (68-14) and led the loaded Western Conference.
The two superstars fought it at their biggest stage, and now Halliburton has a great respect for the Finals MVP.
Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring title, regular season MVP, championship and final MVP last season.
It was remembered as one of the greatest individual campaigns of all time, and he asserted himself to the argument of “the best player in the world.”
Things could have been different if not for the unfortunate Achilles injury in Halliburton’s Game 7, but the Pacers star only said positive things about his rival.
He explained to Pat McAfee that Gilgaus Alexander is “at an elite level.”
“He gets paint touches on an elite level,” Halliburton said. “He does an amazing job of using… He isn’t like this big, bulky guy, but he does an amazing job of getting to his spot.
“He can score at all three levels. He’s an MVP for a reason. The season he put together was one of the biggest seasons in NBA history.”
In addition to Halliburton’s injury, it will likely keep him out for the entire 2025-26 season, with the Pacers having another issue to deal with.
Center Miles Turner has decided to leave the Pacers to join the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetocomo.
Halliburton “wanted him the best” for the Bucks despite creating a chance for the Pacers who are unlikely to return to the finals.
“Obviously, I came here and over the past decade alone, Miles’s name has been synonymous with our organization.
“He’s done a lot here and I think people really have a preference for Miles. He’s done some great things and was part of some great groups, but at the end of the day, it’s business.
“He has to do what’s best for him. I hope he’s best to move forward. My focus is on those here and now, and I’m getting better here.