Tyrese Haliburton turned to this WNBA legend for playoff advice: “Don’t let your IQ overcomplicate it”

Thursday’s Game 5 at Madison Square Garden did not go to plan for Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers. Haliburton could only muster eight points in a comprehensive loss but his form this postseason has been incredibly impressive.

He has helped the Pacers to the brink of a first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 and he has provided a number of clutch moments for his team. Haliburton has emerged as a talisman for the Pacers since signing for the team in 2022 and this year has brought his best playoff performances to date.

Ahead of Thursday’s game, WNBA Hall-of-Famer Sue Bird revealed that Haliburton had spoken to her asking for advice. As she pointed out in the interview with Taylor Rooks, Haliburton seems to be benefiting from those words of wisdom.

“Clearly, he’s figured it out,” Bird joked. “I think my favorite part about watching Tyrese in this run is yes, the clutch plays, the big moments. But it’s been a little up and down at times, and that’s the reality.”

“I think a lot of times you talk about top players, you talk about All-Stars, and you know you see their great play. But it always comes with a bad quarter, a bad game, a bad stretch. And it’s really how you respond to that.”

So what exactly did Bird tell him? The four-time WNBA champion clearly has a wealth of experience to share but she refrained from outlining exactly what she had said.

However Rooks later revealed a bit more detail on the Bird-Haliburton chats. Rooks said that Haliburton had given his side of things.

Rooks said: “Sue told him to trust himself and be honest with himself. To not let his IQ over-complicate and get in the way of what the game is giving him.“

“During the Bucks series, Tyrese told me he could hear the coaches and the bench saying “Make him shoot…stay home stay home” called it the everyday battles he goes through as the facilitator he is.”

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