As Tyrese Haliburton helps lead the Indiana Pacers through a strong playoff run, he’s doing so with guidance from one of the greatest basketball minds of all time: WNBA legend Sue Bird.
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In a recent interview, Taylor Rooks sat down with Bird and revealed that Haliburton had been leaning on her wisdom throughout the season. During the conversation, Rooks shared what Haliburton told her in an earlier playoff round: “He has had extensive discussions with you about when to be a facilitator versus when to be a scorer.”
Rooks then asked Bird how she’s seen that mentorship show up in Haliburton’s game during the postseason. Bird smiled and said, “Well clearly he’s figured it out.”
She went on to explain what’s stood out most to her about his playoff performance. “Yes, the clutch play, the big moments, but it’s been a little up and down at times and that’s the reality.”
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Bird noted that even the most elite players face difficult stretches. People often focus on the highlights, she said, but great play often comes alongside moments of struggle—like “a bad quarter, a bad game, a bad stretch.”
Tyrese Haliburton reached out to Sue Bird before the playoffs for advice on when to be a scorer and when to be a facilitator 📝
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 28, 2025
"Clearly he's figured it out"
(via Taylor Rooks X) pic.twitter.com/kRzc9vJb24
What defines greatness, Bird emphasized, is how a player responds in those moments.
“He maybe not has the best stretch ever, but he’s finding ways to win the games—he’s hitting the big shot, he’s finding his teammates.”