Is Tyrese Haliburton related to Jalen Suggs? Surprising link between 2 NBA stars explored
While Tyrese Haliburton is ready to face the OKC Thunder in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, a fun fact about his relationship with the Orlando Magic player, Jalen Suggs, is going viral on the internet. They are cousins.
On Monday, Suggs appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter to talk about the Desmond Bane trade to the Magic and the 2024-25 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the OKC Thunder. During the segment when Suggs was talking about Haliburton, their relationship appeared on the TV screen.
The NBA fans on social media were abuzz upon learning their relationship had largely flown under the radar. This seemed to shift perceptions, with some pointing out their facial similarities.
Tyrese Haliburton, at 25 years old, is a year older than Jalen Suggs, and they were also drafted a year apart. The Pacers star was drafted 12th by the Sacramento Kings in 2020, while Suggs was the 5th pick in 2021 by the Magic.
There is also one thing in common between them: they are key figures in their respective teams. Suggs is an important part of the Magic's plans, and Haliburton is having the greatest time of his basketball career, just two wins away from the NBA title.
After being polled "most overrated," Tyrese Haliburton is having the last laugh
After Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, Tyrese Haliburton was polled as the league's most overrated player by his peers in the league. Since then, it has been one of the greatest legacy-building runs by a player in NBA history, perhaps the most straightforward way to start Haliburton's revenge story.
Last year, in July, in conversation with GQ, Haliburton made a bold statement about his mentality, one he has since fully lived up to.
"I'm at my best when people are talking s*** about me."
Last year, Haliburton led the Pacers to the Conference Finals before falling to the eventual champion Boston Celtics. This year, they surpassed underdog expectations, and Haliburton has been nothing less than a star during this run.
In four different series in this playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton has hit four different go-ahead shots, either to tie or to win the game. None of his clutch shots have ended in a loss.
Ready for Game 5 on Monday, Haliburton is averaging 17.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.5 spg and 1.0 bpg in four games in the NBA Finals.