Purdy cheers on friend Haliburton and Pacers in NBA playoffs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Our connection to Iowa State knows no bounds and extends beyond sports.
Former Cyclones stars Brock Purdy and Tyrese Haliburton know that all too well. That's because they remain friends despite being professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. Of course, Purdy is the quarterback for the 49ers and Haliburton is the point guard for the Indiana Pacers.
Purdy has his fans, as Haliburton and his team prepare to face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals starting Tuesday night, but the QB is trying to keep his teammate focused on the game at hand. There should be.
“I'm going to leave him alone,” Purdy told reporters at the start of team activities in Santa Clara on Tuesday. “He's in great form, so I'm going to let him do what he wants to do and I'm going to cheer him on, of course. I'm on his side, so I'm really happy for him. I hope he goes all the way.”
Meanwhile, Haliburton has been vocal in his support of his friend Purdy, even rocking the quarterback's jersey before the 49ers' matchup against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game in January.
Haliburton and Purdy have been in coaching meetings as former Iowa State players, and the NBA star views the signal-caller like family.
“We both started as freshmen and were truly friends,” Haliburton said after a game against the Pacers in December. “Seeing him do what he's doing and being successful the way he is, especially coming from Iowa State, it's really amazing. Iowa State has never had so much success at the professional level in any sport. This is because it's not a school you can expect from.
“So it's great to see my brother working hard. From the moment he started playing, I've always shown him nothing but love.”
During the 2024 NBA playoffs, Haliburton is averaging 18.8 points, 8.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 13 games starting Tuesday, but Indiana has a lot of work to do if it wants to get past Boston and reach the NBA Finals.
And with Purdy well aware of the pressure that comes with playing in big games, there's no better player for Haliburton to have in his corner.
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