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Shaq Told Tyrese Haliburton, NBA's Assists Leader, Not to Pass the Ball During All-Star Game

Shaq had some amusing NBA All-Star Game advice for Haliburton.

Tim Capurso

Shaq Told Tyrese Haliburton, NBA's Assists Leader, Not to Pass the Ball During All-Star Game
Shaq Told Tyrese Haliburton, NBA's Assists Leader, Not to Pass the Ball During All-Star Game /
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Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton has the added benefit of home-court advantage during the NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday. 

As such, Haliburton, an All-Star for the second time in his career, will surely be looking to put on a show for the hometown fans. Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and Inside the NBA analyst on TNT Shaquille O'Neal had some advice for the Pacers star before the game tipped off, providing fans with an amusing moment in the process. 

Shaq, encouraging Haliburton to embrace the moment in "his city," told the Pacers guard, who leads the NBA in assists, not to pass the ball. 

"This is your city. Do not pass the ball. Take the game over and make sure you go home with that MVP!" Shaq said. 

"Shaq, you know passing is what I do though, right?" Haliburton replied with a smile. 

Clearly, O'Neal wanted Haliburton to put his pass-first mentality to the side. And he did just that in the early parts of the contest, scoring a game-high 15 points in the first quarter. 

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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