Revengeful Pacers Star Displays Dominant Showing vs. Pistons

Recalling his draft night emotions from back in 2020, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton didn’t hold back from describing the negative feelings he’s developed for the Detroit Pistons recently.

As the former Iowa State guard waited patiently to get selected during the 2020 NBA Draft, he thought for sure the guard-needy Pistons would spend their seventh-overall selection on him. Instead, they took Killian Hayes.

“In that moment, I was frustrated,” Haliburton told Bleacher Report last week. “I knew that the Kings were my floor. I keep my expectations low, if I would’ve got drafted I would’ve been surprised but still, in the moment, I was just angry. I was like, ‘What do you mean? They need a point guard, and they’re not picking me?’ That one felt the most personal.”

Knowing how Haliburton views the Pistons at this point in his career, every matchup between Detroit and Indiana might have some extra juice in it for the two-time All-Star.

Tyrese Haliburton Recalls Frustration When Pistons Passed on Him

Less than a week following Haliburton’s comments regarding the Pistons, the Pacers returned from the All-Star break by hosting Detroit at their home arena.

While Haliburton had a busy break, participating in multiple All-Star weekend events, he still showed out against the Pistons on Thursday night.

Collecting 33 minutes of action, Haliburton shot an efficient 10-18 from the field. By tacking on one free throw, he scored a team-high 25 points for the Pacers.

Along with his scoring production, Haliburton collected a double-double by adding 13 assists to his stat line. While he turned the ball over more than usual, coughing it up five times, Haliburton’s contributions were all positive, as the Pacers dominated the Pistons 129-115.