Tyrese Haliburton has been Indiana’s engine throughout the playoffs, but Game 3 against Cleveland was a different story. After a heroic effort to steal Game 2, Haliburton’s offense completely vanished on Friday night in front of a loud home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Cavaliers crushed the Pacers 126-104, cutting Indiana’s series lead to 2-1. But instead of facing the heat postgame, Haliburton was nowhere to be found—and that’s where things may get tricky with the league office.

Indiana’s decision not to make Haliburton available to the media after his worst playoff performance yet may put the two-time All-Star in violation of NBA interview requirements. According to James Boyd of The Athletic, the Pacers’ PR team confirmed Haliburton would speak the next day instead. While that might not sound like a big deal, the NBA has a very clear system for enforcing postgame availability, and Haliburton could now be one warning away from a fine.

Let’s be honest: it was a brutal night for the Pacers’ franchise player. Haliburton finished with just 4 points on 2-of-8 shooting, failed to make a three-pointer, didn’t grab a single rebound, and coughed up the ball three times in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, his counterpart Donovan Mitchell torched Indiana for 43 points and took complete control of the game.

Coach Rick Carlisle didn’t sugarcoat things afterward. “Ty had a rough game,” he admitted before placing some of the blame on himself. “I’ve got to do more to get him involved.”

This was Haliburton’s lowest-scoring playoff game of his career. He previously hit a postseason low of six points last year against the Knicks, but even in that series, he responded with back-to-back 30-point efforts. Indiana will need that same bounce-back magic to close out this series.

Why the NBA Could Step In Against Haliburton

While the numbers were forgettable, it’s Haliburton’s postgame silence that may come with a price. League policy requires players to be available for interviews after games. If a player skips without league-approved circumstances, they get one warning, then fines start rolling in. Just ask Jimmy Butler, who was hit with a $25,000 fine during this year’s playoffs for skipping media duties after a Heat win over Boston.

The NBA made an exception last year for Devin Booker, who left the arena before media access opened and had no prior warnings. But that leniency doesn’t always apply. Dillon Brooks and Julius Randle were both fined in previous years, and Kyrie Irving’s repeated absences even led to the Nets being fined alongside him.

Haliburton’s situation may escape a fine for now, since this appears to be his first offense. But if it happens again, the league won’t hesitate to act. Even players dealing with injuries are expected to speak within a week if they’re out for more than two weeks, so there’s little room for stars to dodge the mic without consequences.

Fortunately for Indiana, Haliburton is still expected to speak on Saturday, which could help him avoid formal league discipline. But the real concern is how he rebounds on the court. Historically, he’s shown the ability to respond to adversity with big-time performances—and with the Pacers still holding a 2-1 lead, the pressure is now on him to regain control of the series.

Game 4 becomes pivotal for both Indiana’s playoff hopes and Haliburton’s reputation. The Cavaliers have found momentum, and the Pacers can’t afford another no-show on the court or at the podium.