Tyrese Haliburton delivered some of the memorable moments of the 2025 NBA Finals thus far, sinking a game-winning jumper to carry the Indiana Pacers to an exhilarating 111-110 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Sport 1.
However past the shot itself, Haliburton used the second to shine a highlight on his brand-new signature shoe line.
Wade reacts to Haliburton’s game-winner
Simply hours earlier than tipoff on Thursday, Haliburton and PUMA formally unveiled the Hali 1s, the primary sneaker collaboration between the All-Star guard and the German sportswear model.
Haliburton did not waste any time breaking them in, sporting the “Hibiscus” colorway throughout his clutch efficiency and serving to Indiana erase a 15-point deficit to steal the sequence opener.
A shot, a shoe, and a message
After the sport, when requested in regards to the secret to his late-game heroics, Haliburton gave a tongue-in-cheek nod to his new kicks.
“That is an awesome query,” Haliburton stated with a smile. “The key sauce at the moment had been these,” he added, pointing to the Hali 1s resting on the desk beside him.
Whereas the footwear grabbed consideration, Haliburton additionally credited the collective mindset of the Pacers.
The crew, nonetheless carrying the sting of final season’s playoff disappointment, has used that frustration as motivation all through their postseason run.
“I believe as a bunch, we take all the things private as a bunch,” Haliburton stated. “It isn’t simply me, it is all people. That is the DNA of this group.”
At 25 years outdated, Haliburton has turn into some of the clutch performers of this postseason.
Thursday’s game-winner was simply the most recent in a string of big-time photographs which have helped push Indiana to the brink of a historic championship run.
From Nike to PUMA, and a viral second
Haliburton made headlines final October when he ended his endorsement cope with Nike to signal with PUMA.
His new sneakers, designed by acclaimed New York style artistic Salehe Bembury, characteristic NITRO cushioning and a light-weight building tailor-made to Haliburton’s fast-paced sport. The Hali 1s are anticipated to hit shops later this yr.
After the sport, Haliburton channeled a little bit of sneaker lore himself, borrowing a well-known line from a legendary Michael Jordan and Spike Lee business. Posting on X, the Pacers star wrote, “It is gotta be the shoooeeesss.”
With Sport 2 looming and Haliburton persevering with to shine on the most important stage, it is clear that his affect now stretches from the hardwood to the sneaker world – one clutch shot at a time.
