The NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament was primarily viewed as a success.
This was an opportunity for fans to watch their favorite team partake in meaningful games in the middle of the year.
It drove viewership to the NBA, which is often difficult for the league while the NFL also takes place.
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in the tournament, a team that was not expected to be there, especially when the season started.
Tyrese Haliburton recently went on the Dan Patrick Show, where he discussed this loss and what the Pacers would have done if they beat the Lakers in the final.
“We don’t have any championship banners in the arena. Pacers have never won any NBA Championships, so I would have been all for the banner,” Haliburton said.
Had the #Pacers won the IST, Tyrese Haliburton said he would've been down for a parade and banner ceremony
"I would've been down for whatever. We don't have any championship banners in the arena. Pacers have never won any NBA Championships so I would've been all for the banner." pic.twitter.com/DquL36rjiy
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 19, 2023
Haliburton indicated that he also would have liked a parade to celebrate the team’s efforts.
As he mentions, the Pacers, a team that has struggled in recent history, have never won the NBA Finals.
They only won 35 games last season, making them the 11th-best team in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton has helped his team get off to a hot start, and they are well on their way to beating their record from the 2022-2023 campaign.
While they might not be in a position to compete for the NBA Finals this season, the Pacers are taking steps in the right direction.
With Haliburton leading this team and the front office finding players to surround him with, they might get to that place in the next few seasons.
NEXT: Stat Shows The Pacers Are Making Scoring History This Season