{"id":564420,"date":"2026-01-27T17:19:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T17:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/564420\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T17:19:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T17:19:18","slug":"tyrese-haliburton-recalls-hilarious-olympics-playing-time-scare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/564420\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyrese Haliburton recalls hilarious Olympics playing time scare"},"content":{"rendered":"

Still recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals<\/a>, Indiana Pacers<\/a> guard Tyrese Haliburton<\/a> shared a hilarious Olympics memory on the \u201cMind the Game\u201d podcast<\/a>. The moment came during a film session filled with stars and pressure. Head coach Steve Kerr explained that not everyone would play. LeBron James spoke about sacrifice. Kevin Durant backed the message. Then the Pacers star felt the room turn toward him<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I’m watching film, I can’t even pay attention to film. I’m like, ‘Damn it’s over. It’s over man. I ain’t getting no PT out here.'”<\/p>\n

Tyrese Haliburton joked about his lack of playing time with USA Basketball at the Olympics \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n

(via @mindthegamepod<\/a>)
pic.twitter.com\/gY50wCi76f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cSteve Kerr starts talking about everybody can\u2019t play,\u201d Haliburton said. \u201cAnd Bron is talking about how, you know, in the \u201804 Olympics, I didn\u2019t really play that much. And you kind of, you got to put your pride aside.\u201d At first, it sounded general. Then it felt personal. \u201cI\u2019m sitting there and I\u2019m listening, and I\u2019m like, but who are they talking about?\u201d the Pacers star said. \u201cI\u2019m looking around\u2026 oh, they talking about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The realization crushed him in real time. \u201cI was sitting there. I\u2019m watching film. I can\u2019t even pay attention to film,\u201d Haliburton said. \u201cSo I\u2019m like, damn, it\u2019s over. I ain\u2019t get no PT out here.\u201d His punchline made the moment unforgettable. \u201cI\u2019m the one guy in the school project that didn\u2019t do nothing and got an A.\u201d<\/p>\n

From doubt to gold, then to Pacers recovery<\/p>\n

The story only works because of how it unfolded 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<\/a>. What began as film-room anxiety ended as a championship moment.<\/p>\n

Now the tone is different. The Pacers star is rehabbing after missing the entire 2025\u201326 season<\/a>. Still, that Olympic memory with LeBron James shows his mindset. He felt doubt, found humor, and stayed ready.<\/p>\n

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 moment will define him next?<\/p>\n