The Indiana Pacers shocked the world when they came back from seven points down with 48 seconds left to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win Game 2 and go up 2-0. At the forefront was Tyrese Haliburton, as he hit a clutch three-pointer to put the Pacers up with one second to go.
The crowd went wild for Haliburton’s heroism. Among those who singled out the Pacers star was former Philadelphia 76ers center Richaun Holmes. Holmes shouted out Haliburton for winning the game via his X account, writing, “Tyrese so tough man.”
Holmes played with Haliburton on the Sacramento Kings from 2020 to 2022, when the Kings traded the latter to the Pacers at the NBA trade deadline. That trade has been mired in controversy, as many believe the Kings were foolish to trade Haliburton, given his talent. Since then, he’s proven that the Kings chose wrong.
As Jake Fischer reported in 2023, the Sixers had the chance to acquire Haliburton from the Kings during the Ben Simmons fallout but opted instead to acquire James Harden. Haliburton has since taken the Pacers to the playoffs twice, including an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2024. Had he played for the Sixers, there’s no telling how far Philadelphia would have gone.
Holmes started his NBA career with the Sixers, playing for the team from 2015 to 2018. After the Sixers picked him in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft, Holmes carved out a niche for himself as a backup center since then. He may not have become a star, but Holmes proved himself as a solid second-round steal.
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