Tyrese Haliburton Blasts NBA’s ’Stupid Rule’ That Could Cost Him Millions in Potential Earnings

Tyrese Haliburton shared his thoughts on the NBA’s 65-game requirement for consideration for league awards.

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is fresh off being named an All-Star starter for the second time in his career, but he’s at risk of missing out on some other key NBA awards. 

Haliburton, who has featured in 33 games this year, will only be able to miss three more games the rest of the season in order to remain eligible for All-NBA honors.

The NBA’s newly adopted rule dictates that a player must participate in 65 games and log at least 20 minutes in those appearances, in order to be eligible for the MVP award or selection for the All-NBA teams. 

Haliburton didn’t hold back when asked about his thoughts on the league’s new rule, saying he and many other players felt it was a “stupid rule.”

“I think it’s a stupid rule, like plenty of other guys in the league, but this is what the owners want, so as players we gotta do our job and play in 65 games if we’re able to,” said Haliburton, via The Athletic. 

“So that’s what I gotta do. I gotta take care of my body to be able to play in those games... As long as the owners are happy.”

The 23-year-old has missed 13 games this season, as well as one game earlier this month in which he only logged 13 minutes, bringing his tally to 14 absences.  

Haliburton has been sidelined with a hamstring injury which has cost him 10 of the team’s last 11 games, but he’s expected to return Tuesday against the Boston Celtics.

“I completely understand it, and I understand what’s at stake for me financially as well,” said Haliburton.

Just what is at stake for Haliburton financially? The max extension that he signed with the Pacers in the offseason is currently worth $204.5 million over five years starting at the beginning of next season. Should Haliburton be named to an All-NBA team, that number would jump to $245 million.

“But at the end of the day, I also gotta take care of my body to the best of my ability and put myself in the right situations,” Haliburton said. “So yeah, I know I don’t have a ton of games left.”