After last season’s appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, the Indiana Pacers got off to a disappointing 7-10 start in Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

One of the reasons for the Pacers’ slow play is the performance of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Amid reports that he is dealing with hamstring and back injuries, Haliburton has averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 assists, well below last season’s 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game.

However, if injuries hold the two-time All-Star back, he may have finally broken through in Monday’s 114-110 win over New Orleans. Haliburton hit a season-high nine three-pointers (9-for-18 shooting from 3) and scored 34 points with 13 assists and three steals.

That’s one shy of his best point total this season, which was 35 against the New York Knicks on November 10. And his nine threes were one shy of the franchise record he set last season.

Since scoring just four points in a 130-113 loss to the Houston Rockets on November 20, Haliburton has scored a total of 73 points (24.3 average) and shot 46% (18-for-10) in his past three games. 39) at 3s. The Pacers have now won two in a row after losing three in a row and five of the last eight.

After Monday’s game, Haliburton admitted to reporters that he was frustrated with his play and that basketball was veering into “lane territory,” leading to bad energy on the court.

“I think what I just have to maintain is my joy for the game of basketball,” Haliburton said. via Tony East. “Everyone wants to say: be happy and have fun. That’s difficult when you lose.”

Myles Turner added 17 points and nine rebounds in the Pacers’ win, while Pascal Siakam scored 14 with seven rebounds and seven assists. Quenton Jackson scored 12 and shot 4-for-6 on 3-pointers.

The Pelicans were led by Trey Murphy III’s 24 points, followed by CJ McCollum’s 23. Elfrid Payton dished out 21 assists, the highest total in a game since Haliburton had 23 assists last season and ranked ninth all-time.