Rick Carlisle Drops Surprising Details About His First Chat With Tyrese Haliburton—What Was Said Will Shock You!

When Rick Carlisle looked Tyrese Haliburton in the eye back in 2022 and handed him the keys to the Indiana Pacers, did he realize he was setting the stage for a basketball alchemy that would electrify a franchise? I still marvel at that moment—a coach divvying up not just responsibility, but trust, and a young star stepping into a spotlight brighter than ever before. Haliburton’s arrival in Indiana was a shock to many, a seismic shift from Sacramento’s confines to Pacers’ pastures—yet, he quickly claimed the court as his own. But as the story unfolds, with postseason battles fought and a devastating injury in the NBA Finals casting a shadow over 2025-26, we’re left wondering: how does a team rebuild when its soul, its playmaker, is sidelined? This isn’t just another trade tale—it’s about leadership, legacy, and the thin line between triumph and heartbreak in the high-stakes theatre of pro basketball.

New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers - Game Six — (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Tyrese Haliburton was shocked in 2022 when he was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers.

Since then, the Pacers have definitely become Haliburton’s team, and he has turned into a hero for Indiana.

Speaking to Zach Lowe, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle talked about the first conversation he had with Halburton after the Kings-Pacers trade.

“Look me in the eyes and watch what I’m telling you. This is your team, you have the opportunity of a lifetime here, I’m turning the keys over to you, I don’t wanna call plays, you’re running this thing and I’m giving you my trust right now,” Carlisle said.

Rick Carlisle shares his first conversation he had with Tyrese Haliburton once he got to Indiana in 2022:

“Look me in the eyes and watch what I’m telling you. This is your team, you have the opportunity of a lifetime here, I’m turning the keys over to you, I don’t wanna call… pic.twitter.com/AZYFLGAuQg

— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) September 26, 2025

Carlisle was a man of his word, and Haliburton instantly became the most important player for the Pacers.

The offense immediately began to run through him, and he played with confidence and chemistry with his teammates.

Since coming to the Pacers, Haliburton has averaged 19.5 points and 10.1 assists.

He has totally transformed the way the team works and has led them to some great postseason success.

The team hasn’t been able to achieve its ultimate goal of winning a championship, but it came close last season.

Sadly, that might be the closest they get for some time, because Haliburton is now set to miss all of 2025-26 due to the injury he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

The Pacers will wait for him, but they know their chances of great success are diminished without Haliburton.

This is another sign of just how important he is to the team, and how much other players and fans value him.

When he came to Indiana, Carlisle promised him everything, and Haliburton has embraced that.

The post Rick Carlisle Reveals First Conversation With Tyrese Haliburton appeared first on The Cold Wire.