Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has expressed significant admiration for Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, referring to him as a potential superstar in the league. On his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, he stated, 'In my eyes, I think he is a superstar. He's the face of the NBA. He is the number one option.' George elaborated on Haliburton's dual abilities as both a facilitator and a scorer, emphasizing his capability to perform in clutch situations while also recognizing his potential for isolation plays.

Haliburton has played a pivotal role in leading the Pacers to their second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, currently holding a commanding 3-1 series lead against the New York Knicks. George, who is intimately familiar with Haliburton’s journey, spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Pacers, where he emerged as a significant star. He reached the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2013 and 2014 and understands well the challenges and triumphs that accompany such a journey.

The Pacers are on the brink of clinching their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, having showcased dominance throughout their 2025 postseason campaign. They secured a five-game series victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and followed that up with another five-game triumph against the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton's playoff performance has been particularly impressive, significantly surpassing his regular-season averages. With postseason statistics reflecting 19.4 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game, he has proven instrumental to his team's success. The Pacers enjoy a plus-9.7 net rating with Haliburton on the court during the playoffs, contrasting sharply with a minus-8.6 net rating in his absence, indicating his vital contribution as the team nears the possibility of claiming the Larry O'Brien Trophy.