Tyrese Haliburton clutch shots timeline: Buzzer-beaters and game-winners that made Pacers star an NBA closer
Context:
Tyrese Haliburton has rapidly established himself as one of the NBA's most clutch players, particularly with his game-winning prowess for the Indiana Pacers. His ability to perform under pressure was showcased through several key moments, including thrilling victories against teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks during both regular and playoff seasons. Notably, Haliburton delivered decisive shots, such as a go-ahead 3-pointer against the Cavaliers with 1.1 seconds left and a crucial layup versus the Bucks that sealed series victories. His consistent performance in clutch situations, with a remarkable shooting percentage of 91% in the final 90 seconds of games during the 2024-25 season, highlights his value to the Pacers. This proficiency not only elevates his stature in the league but positions Indiana as a formidable team in the Eastern Conference.
Dive Deeper:
Tyrese Haliburton has emerged as a clutch performer for the Indiana Pacers, notably delivering game-winning shots in critical moments such as a go-ahead 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a playoff series and a decisive layup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In a remarkable comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton helped the Pacers overturn a seven-point deficit in under a minute during a playoff game, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure and secure a series win.
One of Haliburton's signature regular season performances included a four-point play against the Bucks, turning a potential loss into a crucial victory that significantly impacted the standings in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton's reputation for clutch shooting is underscored by his 2024-25 season statistics, where he achieved a 91% success rate on shots to tie or take the lead in the final 90 seconds of games.
His early career clutch performances, such as a game-winning 3-pointer against the Bulls in 2023, laid the foundation for his reputation as a reliable closer for the Pacers.
Haliburton's ability to swing momentum was also evident in a 2024 playoff series against the Knicks, where his timely plays helped prevent a potential 3-0 deficit, ultimately leading to a series victory.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Haliburton consistently ranked among the top players in clutch points per game, maintaining high shooting percentages that matched his overall season performance, further cementing his role as a key player for Indiana.
The NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year award for the 2022-23 season, and it may only be a matter of time until Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton wins it.
Haliburton already put himself in the ranks of the NBA's best ball-handlers as the Pacers' do-it-all point guard, but he's quickly developing his reputation as one of the game's most clutch shot-makers. The All-Star is ridiculously efficient in clutch moments, and that makes Indiana one of the most dangerous teams in the East.
Haliburton's heroism isn't just limited to the regular season. In fact, he seems to rise to the occasion in the playoffs.
Here's a look at Haliburton's timeline of game-winning shots, including a playoff series-clincher.
Tyrese Haliburton game-winners timeline
May 6, 2025 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Haliburton drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds on the clock to defeat the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Pacers' second round series.TYRESE HALIBURTON GAME-WINNER IN GAME 2 🚨
WOWWW pic.twitter.com/0dcQwlQZpK— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 7, 2025 Cleveland had led since the early minutes of the first quarter and entered the fourth quarter ahead by 14, but Indiana battled back and put itself in position to potentially steal a second game on the road against a shorthanded team.
Haliburton was able to get his own rebound off a missed free throw, took time to settle down and put up the game-winner to move the Pacers closer to a return to the Eastern Conference Finals.
April 29, 2025 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Haliburton helped the Pacers complete a seven-point comeback in less than a minute with a go-ahead layup in Game 5 of the Pacers' first round series.It was Haliburton's and-one opportunity that brought Indiana back within one possession seconds earlier, and he drove in for the game-winning layup with just over a second on the clock to give Indiana a series win over Milwaukee for the second consecutive year.
The Pacers just clinched a first-round series win in the most improbable way possible.
Gary Trent Jr. fumbles a wide-open pass away. Then, Tyrese Haliburton pulls off a game-winner.
An incredible sequence for what could become Giannis Antetokounmpo’s final game with the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/UxtKwt1afp— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 30, 2025 The game-winner was the final blow in a brutal collapse by the Bucks, who led 118-111 with possession of the ball with 40 seconds remaining.
MORE: Haliburton spearheads stunning OT comeback, ending Milwaukee's season
March 11, 2025 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Haliburton's playoff game-winner was just the latest dagger in the heart of the Bucks, coming less than two months after the All-Star stunned Milwaukee with three seconds remaining in a regular season contest.
Trailing by three, Haliburton drilled a shot from beyond the arc and drew a foul, giving himself a chance for a four-point play to put Indiana up by one. Haliburton's free throw was good, and the Pacers held on for a thrilling victory.
The Pacers only finished two games ahead of the Bucks in the East, and this game represented a two-game swing — a Bucks win would have put Milwaukee two games ahead of Indiana. Instead, the two teams finished the night even at 36-28.
March 5, 2023 vs. Chicago Bulls
Before he became a playoff hero, Haliburton flashed his clutch gene with a go-ahead 3-pointer to sink the Bulls in March 2023.The Pacers star pulled up from long range with the game tied at 122 and drilled it, putting Indiana in front by three with 2.7 seconds left and quieting the Chicago crowd.
Haliburton finished the night with 29 points on 11-of-17 from the field, including a stellar 6-of-9 performance from beyond the arc. The win pulled the Pacers even with the Bulls in the standings at 29-36.
MORE: Why Pacers indefinitely banned Tyrese Haliburton's dad from games
Dec. 23, 2022 vs. Miami Heat
Haliburton silenced the Miami crowd with a go-ahead 3-pointer to defeat the Heat in December 2022.One of his earliest signature moments with the Pacers, Haliburton flashed the confidence that made him a star by shaking off defenders and putting up a shot from a few feet past the 3-point line. Indiana held on for the win, giving fans of the rebuilding franchise a window into what the next few years would look like.
The performance remains of the best of Haliburton's career, as he racked up 43 points on 14-of-20 shooting, including 10-of-16 from 3-point range. Haliburton's 43 points were a career-high at the time, but he topped it with 44 — also against the Heat — a year later.
Other notable clutch moments
Haliburton's clutch shots aren't just limited to game-winners. He is 10-for-11 on shot attempts to either tie or take the lead during the 2024-25 season alone. That includes go-ahead shots against the Jazz and Kings in addition to the game-winners against the Bucks and Cavaliers.Tyrese Haliburton is 10-for-11 (91%) when taking a shot to tie or take the lead in the final 90 seconds of the 4th quarter or overtime this season.
here are all 10 of his makes: pic.twitter.com/v5Sd8nxwmW— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 7, 2025 Haliburton flashed his clutch gene before the 2025 playoff run, too. In 2024, the Pacers looked like they might go down 3-0 in their second round series against the Knicks before Haliburton cut the deficit to four with a layup, stole the ball and went up again to cut Indiana's deficit to two in the middle of the fourth quarter.
While not in the final two minutes, Haliburton steered momentum back toward the Pacers just when it looked like New York had a chance to pull away. Indiana would win the series in seven games.
Tyrese Haliburton clutch shot stats
Haliburton finished the 2024-25 regular season tied for 12th among qualified players with 3.1 clutch points per game.The stat only includes games in which clutch situations occurred; the NBA defines clutch time as "the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points." He shot 47.1 percent in those situations, almost exactly in line with his regular season mark.
In 2023-24, Haliburton was even more productive in those moments, averaging 3.4 clutch points per game on 52.6 percent shooting.