PARIS — Tyrese Haliburton experienced his own memorable moment in the spotlight during his time in Paris.


In the very same arena that hosted a dramatic Olympic showdown, Haliburton put forth an impressive display by sinking four consecutive 3-point shots within a span of just over two minutes, contributing to Indiana’s dominant 136-98 triumph over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.


Although Haliburton did not mimic the “night, night” gesture popularized by Stephen Curry during his remarkable performance, his 16-point surge to wrap up the third quarter ignited the Pacers’ momentum in a game that left local fans feeling disheartened.


“I felt like I was in rare air, for sure,” Haliburton remarked, noting that he scored 18 of his 28 total points during that electrifying stretch. “It was an exhilarating feeling.”


Curry’s iconic flurry of three-pointers had previously taken place during the fourth quarter of the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics in August, where he played a crucial role in securing a fifth consecutive gold medal for USA Basketball, thwarting Wembanyama and the French team’s aspirations.


Haliburton watched from a courtside seat that fateful day, part of the U.S. roster but not included in the playing rotation. When Curry was lighting up the court in those tense final moments, it was Haliburton who first imitated the Golden State star’s famous “night, night” gesture, placing his hands together beside his face as if drifting off to sleep.


“That was probably the most astonishing run I’ve ever witnessed in basketball,” reflected Haliburton on that gold-medal game. “To be right there, experiencing it firsthand, was something extraordinary. I doubt anything anyone else does will ever compare, particularly given the stakes.”


While Haliburton’s shots on Saturday lacked the gravity of a gold medal on the line, their quality was reminiscent of Curry’s clutch shots that evening, featuring high arcs and remarkable accuracy.


“The focus will be on Victor after these two matches,” commented Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “However, what Haliburton did in Paris will be what everyone remembers.”


Following the conclusion of the Olympics, Haliburton had humorously compared his gold medal to someone receiving an “A” on a group project without truly contributing, but the sentiments were different after Saturday’s game.


“I was involved this time,” Haliburton stated with pride.