Tyrese Halliburton recalls the hilarious Olympics as he dreads the weather

He is still recovering from torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton shared a hilarious Olympic memory on the Mind the Game podcast.. The moment came during a film session full of stars and pressure. Head coach Steve Kerr explained that not everyone will play. LeBron James talked about sacrifice. Kevin Durant endorsed the message. Then the Pacers star he felt the room turn towards him.

“I’m watching film, I can’t even pay attention to film. I’m like, ‘Damn, it’s over. It’s over, man. I’m not going to get any PT here.’

Tyrese Haliburton joked about not having enough playing time with USA Basketball at the Olympics 😅

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“Steve Kerr started talking about not everybody being able to play,” Halliburton said. “And Bron talks about how, you know, in the ’04 Olympics, I didn’t really play that much. And you kind of, you have to put your pride aside.” At first it sounded general. It felt personal then. “I sit there and listen, and I wonder, but who are they talking about?” the Pacers star said. “I look around… oh, they’re talking about me.”

The realization broke him in real time. “I was sitting there. I’m watching film. I can’t even pay attention to film,” Haliburton said. “So I’m like, hell, it’s over. I don’t have a PT here.” His punchline made the moment unforgettable. “I’m the only guy in the school project who did nothing and got an A.”

From doubt to gold, then to the recovery of the Pacers

The story only works because of how it played out at the 2024 Olympics. After thinking he would never touch the court, Haliburton made his debut in a win over South Sudan. He scored six points and added an assist on 2-of-3 shooting from deep. Team USA later defeated France for the gold medal. What started as anxiety in the film room ended as a championship moment.

Now the tone is different. The The Pacers star is rehabbing after missing the entire 2025-26 season. Still, that Olympic memory with LeBron James shows his mindset. He felt doubt, found humor and remained prepared.

Under the stadium lights, he once thought it was over. Instead, it became part of his rise. As the Pacers wait for their leader to return, one question remains: When Tyrese Haliburton steps back onto the floor, what will be his next defining moment?