The Indiana Pacers secured a crucial 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, taking a 2-1 series lead. While Pascal Siakam played a key role in the win, his performance became a topic of debate during the postgame show when Charles Barkley questioned his consistency. However, Tyrese Haliburton quickly stepped in to defend his teammate, offering a detailed explanation of Siakam’s role and the defensive challenges he faces.
During the NBA TV postgame show, Barkley asked Haliburton about Siakam’s fluctuating aggression from game to game.
“What is the deal with Siakam?” Barkley asked. “Why does he go from passive to aggressive game-to-game? Because he was fantastic tonight… Why is he so up-and-down as far as being aggressive?”
Siakam had 21 points in Game 3, bouncing back from a quieter 15-point outing in Game 2. Barkley’s comments suggested that Siakam’s approach lacked consistency, implying that he should be more assertive on a nightly basis.
Haliburton, who recorded 22 points and 11 assists in the win, immediately pushed back against Barkley’s critique.
“I don’t think that’s a fair assessment, to be honest with you,” Haliburton replied. “The way that they guard, he operates so well in the mid-post, but you got to understand when he’s catching it in the mid-post they’re talking about rotating the guy fully from the baseline. They’ve just got hands and they’re swarming the ball. We’re just trying to make reads and play the right way.”
Charles Barkley: “What is the deal with [Pascal Siakam]? Why does he go from passive to aggressive from game to game?…”
Tyrese Haliburton politely explains in detail why he “[doesn’t] think that’s a fair assessment.” 🏀📺🎙️ #NBA #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Zxk4rPPJLE
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2025
Haliburton went on to explain that Siakam’s effectiveness depends on spacing and defensive schemes, rather than a simple matter of aggression.
“It’s hard when you catch it at the nail, where he really likes to operate, the way they guard is just boxes and elbows. We’ve got to do a much better job of giving him the correct spacing and just figuring it out. From game-to-game, just taking what the defense gives you, I thought he did a great job just setting the tone and we just followed his lead.”
Siakam has been a vital piece of Indiana’s Finals run, providing scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility. While his numbers may fluctuate, his impact goes beyond the box score. The Thunder’s defensive scheme, which emphasizes swarming the ball and collapsing in the paint, has made it difficult for Siakam to consistently attack the rim.
Haliburton’s response highlights the nuances of Siakam’s role, showing that his approach is dictated by matchups and defensive adjustments, rather than an inconsistent mindset.
With the Pacers now leading the series, Siakam’s ability to adapt to OKC’s defense will be crucial moving forward. If Indiana can continue to create better spacing for him, he could have an even bigger impact in Game 4.
