Although Tyrese Haliburton gained notoriety for hitting the game-winning shot against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers wouldn't have won 115-114 without the help of another player. Beyond Tuesday's game, Pascal Siakam plays a major role in the Pacers' success.
Siakam scored a game-high 25 points to the delight of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd. Not only did he lead the game in points, but he also shot an exceptional 66.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent mark from 3.
Moreover, Siakam registered seven points in the final period, combatting Bucks' Brook Lopez's fiery 11-point outburst.
Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, but even the Pacers' star point guard admitted he didn't showcase his best performance.
"Down the stretch there, I made some boneheaded plays," Haliburton stated after the game.
Related: What Did Pacers Say of 'Four Verticals'?
In addition to Siakam's scoring, he held the Pacers together with 12 rebounds and five assists, leading them to a memorable showdown in the fourth quarter. Aside from the Pacers' victory over the Bucks, Siakam is the glue that holds the team together, even when Haliburton experiences a dip in production.
Given Haliburton's slow start to the season, Siakam represents the team as the lone All-Star during the 2024-25 campaign. The Pacers All-Star leads the team with 20 points per game on 52 percent shooting from the field and a 40 percent clip from 3. Thanks to Siakam's steady hand, the Pacers are one win away from passing the Bucks for the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
Unlike their next opponent on Friday, the Philadephia 76ers, Siakam's 2024-25 campaign showcases consistency, leadership, and enough star power to keep the Pacers in the race for a homecourt advantage seed in the 2025 playoffs.
Related: What WWE Legend Celebrated Tyrese Haliburton's Game-Winning Shot?
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM.