Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shines in first scrimmage for Team USA
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton played in his first game for Team USA as a part of the leadup to 2023 FIBA World Cup play on Monday night.
The game was the first of the 2023 USA Basketball Showcase, one of five scrimmages the red, white, and blue will participate in before World Cup play. They took on Puerto Rico in Las Vegas to kick things off.
Haliburton shared earlier in the summer that he was looking forward to the experience. He had a prior stint with Team USA on a U19 team, but this is his first tour with the senior team.
Monday night, he debuted. The Pacers All-Star came off the bench for the squad, but he played as many minutes as most of the starters. He was effective for Team USA.
Haliburton checked in for the first time with 2:26 to go in the first quarter, and 60 seconds later, he had his first assist. That would be a sign of things to come for the 23-year old. When he entered the game, his team's pace instantly jumped.
At halftime, the Pacers guard had six assists and one rebound. He had only taken one shot and didn't have a turnover yet.
"The first part of it is guys just getting back in game shape," Haliburton told ESPN of the Team USA experience late last week. "I think we have done a good job altogether of coming together very fast."
Haliburton continued his brilliance in the second half. While his role with Indiana features more shot hunting and relocating, the young guard was more of a play initiator with Team USA. Given how talented his team is, that role is perfect for Haliburton.
The Iowa State product had six more assists in the second half and got some run with the starters. He also scored his first points on a driving layup.
Team USA dominated the second half on their way to a 117-74 win. Haliburton finished with seven points, four rebounds, 12 assists, one block, and one turnover. He led the team with a +/- of +24.
Late in the game, the blue and gold's star guard got to play in some lineups with Jalen Brunson, and one of Anthony Edwards or Austin Reaves were also a part of those units. In those situations, Haliburton's role changes slightly, something he was looking forward to about the Team USA experience.
"I think just, you're being put in different situations," Haliburton said of what he will benefit from with the National Team. Most players on the roster are among the best players on their NBA team, but they have to settle into a smaller role for the red, white, and blue. That will help everyone, including Haliburton, develop going forward. Those three guard lineups put Puerto Rico away.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Team USA squad will next play on Saturday. They take on Slovenia in the second game of the USA Basketball Showcase, and it will take place in Malaga, Spain.
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