After hearing star point guard Tyrese Haliburton reveal the unlikely sources of his playoff guidance, Indiana Pacers fans might have raised an eyebrow. While many expected veteran teammates or coaches to be his go-to voices, Haliburton recently shared that he’s been leaning on Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum during this postseason run.
Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum’s Advice for Tyrese Haliburton
According to a recent report, “Haliburton credits Embiid and Tatum for ‘keeping it 100’ conversations that helped him build that immunity to rejection,” a recent post-game interview revealed. “Embiid, who has been subject to ridicule as he fails to stay healthy, has been texting with Haliburton throughout the postseason, imploring him to shoot the ball more.”
Joel Embiid has been giving Tyrese Haliburton advice throughout the playoffs
“Haliburton credits Embiid and Tatum for ‘keeping it 100’ conversations that helped him build that immunity to rejection. Embiid, who has been subject to ridicule as he fails to stay healthy, has been… pic.twitter.com/zHmM1DedjW
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
This revelation should spark a wave of conversation among Pacers faithful. Fans quickly pointed out the irony of Embiid offering playoff advice, with one user on X posting simply, “’Embiid’, ‘advice’, and ‘playoffs’ should not be in the same sentence TOGETHER.” Another user commented, “What could Joel possibly advise Tyrese Haliburton in the playoffs?” This fan echoed their sentiment, posting, “That’s pretty wild.”
While Tatum’s status as an NBA champion lends some credibility to his counsel, including Embiid, it has caused a stir. Embiid, despite his undeniable talent, has faced criticism for his playoff availability and past postseason shortcomings. The fact that he’s actively advising the Pacers’ linchpin has left some fans feeling uneasy.
However, Haliburton seems to be taking the advice in stride. In the 2025 playoffs, he has continued to orchestrate the Pacers’ offense with impressive efficiency. Through the first two rounds, Haliburton has averaged 18.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to score and create for his teammates. While his scoring numbers might not jump off the page, his playmaking has been instrumental in the Pacers’ success.
Embiid’s encouragement to shoot more could be interpreted as a push for Haliburton to become a more assertive offensive threat, taking pressure off his teammates. Whether this unconventional mentorship will ultimately benefit the Pacers remains to be seen. Still, Haliburton’s willingness to learn from established stars, regardless of their past playoff narratives, highlights his maturity and desire to win. Pacers fans will watch closely to see if this advice translates into playoff success.
Haliburton and the Pacers are shockingly up 2-0 in their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the number one-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. It has been a thrilling series, with Haliburton most recently hitting a last-second three-pointer to secure a Pacers win in Game 2. The series returns to Indiana, where fans can revel in the team’s unlikely success.
Call it luck, call it sage advice, but Tyrese Haliburton has the Indiana Pacers rolling and on pace for a second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
