Tyrese Haliburton reaches 65 games played threshold for Indiana Pacers, is eligible for NBA 2024 performance awards

Haliburton is eligible for league awards

Apr 1, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a shot / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is officially eligible for 2024 league awards. The star ball handler has reached the required games played threshold to be named to one of the All-NBA teams as well as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and the All-Defense teams.

A rule in the NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement lays out award eligibility criteria, and one stipulation is that a player must suit up for at least 65 games during a season. Friday night, Haliburton reached that benchmark. It was his 65th game for the 2023-24 campaign — Haliburton had one game not count because he didn't play for 15 minutes, but because he played in the In-Season Tournament title game for the blue and gold, the All-Star floor general has 65 outings to his name.

Hs is now eligible for league honors. "Yippee. I'm just glad. I'm happy," Haliburton said on Friday night. He made a first and then swung his arm to show his excitement.

For Indiana's star, this is a significant accomplishment. Because of the nature of Haliburton's contract, he is eligible to make tens of millions of dollars if he makes an All-NBA team this season. His contract extension will be for five years regardless of his award status, but should Haliburton be named to one of the three All-NBA squads, that deal will be valued at $245.3 million. If he doesn't make it, then the contract will pay $204.5 million. That $40+ million dollar difference is why this is such a significant accomplishment for the Pacers young floor general, who set the franchise single-season assist record two nights ago.

"It's cool though, because I think that was a scary thing for us [this] year," Haliburton said of his, and the team's, hopes to reach 65 games played. "Didn't know if we'd be able to make that benchmark. I think that's just a kudos to the strength staff, the medical staff that I'm allowed to do that.

"Yeah, glad I got to 65," he added through a grin.

Haliburton could reach as many as 70 appearances this season in total. He missed multiple games due to a hamstring injury in January that put his All-NBA eligibility into question. Upon returning from the injury, Haliburton was limited to about 20 minutes of play per night. But he battled through the situation and was able to reach the necessary games played.

Indiana is 37-28 when Haliburton suits up this season and 7-6 when he sits. He is a critical part of his team's success, and their net rating is over 5.5 points per 100 possessions better with the point guard on the floor than off. He is a tremendous talent and a critical part of the Pacers' identity.

Haliburton is averaging 20.2 points and 11.0 assists per game this season. That assists number leads the NBA by more than one full assist per game, and he is one of 39 players posting at least a 20 point average. His offensive talent is obvious, and those numbers were 23.6 and 12.5, respectively, before his hamstring injury.

Because some of the league's other top talents won't reach 65 games played, Haliburton still has a great chance to make one of the All-NBA teams. A strong last four outings, and perhaps a postseason berth, could help the guard's case over the final week of the season. His 66th game, which comes tonight against the Miami Heat, is critical for his team's success and could go a long way toward accomplishing both of those goals.

Even with a poor close to the campaign, though, Haliburton officially has a chance to make one of the All-NBA teams and make millions of dollars. He earned it.

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• Tyrese Haliburton sets Indiana Pacers single-season franchise assist record on a night the Pacers needed him. CLICK HERE.
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