Tyrese Haliburton’s Sideline ‘Fits Are the Best Part of the NBA

In the modern world, sports aren’t just about what happens on the court, field, or track. Much of the buzz around athletes actually takes place before their events—that is, when they arrive at their respective venues and showcase their latest fashion creations. In basketball, that’s referred to as a tunnel ‘fit; in Formula One, a paddock ‘fit; and so on. What athletes wear when they’re not in uniform matters, especially to fans who might never get to speak to their heroes. Clothes are the perfect form of communication—a window into who your favorite athlete is and what they stand for. That’s what Go Sports is all about. Yes, we care about box scores, the results of Free Practice 1 (even if it is at 3 a.m.), and RHOSLC-level rivalries, but today, sports fashion matters too. We’re not ashamed to say so.

Last season, when Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, a piece of basketball legend was written in the history books, but not for the reason you might think. The latter franchise ended up taking home the trophy, hosting a parade, and earning the right to call themselves NBA Champions, but it was the Pacers who made magic happen throughout their playoff run, writing an underdog story for the ages that will go down as one of the best examples of determination, grit, and “we before me” mentality in all of sport. Then the worst-case scenario happened. With 4:55 left in the first quarter, following three successful three-pointers, Haliburton, the Pacers’ star point guard, went down, tearing his right Achilles tendon following a strain in the same leg from Game 5 of the series. His teammates fought, but without his leadership and clutch abilities, the Thunder prevailed, winning 103 to 91.

(Image credit: Justin Casterline/Getty Images; Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

As a Pacers fan (something I probably shouldn’t admit out loud given where I live), I was devastated. We were all devastated. In the months since, watching the NBA hasn’t been the same, at least not for me. I still watch and cheer on my team, but not having Haliburton’s magic on the floor takes away from the excitement. There is one saving grace, though, especially for someone who is just as invested in the on-court action as what happens outside of the lines on the sidelines and in the tunnel. Yes, I’m talking about clothes, and no one does them better in the NBA than Haliburton.

The 2026 season is coming to a close pretty soon, and the Pacers have struggled this year following several player injuries, including Haliburton’s. I’ve caught most of their games, which will total 82 by the end of the regular season. The point guard has been at a majority of them, and almost always, he has on a ‘fit. When many think of style in the NBA, it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who comes to mind first, and for good reason. But the Oklahoma City Thunder guard isn’t the only well-dressed player. In fact, most players in the league have shown at least some level of interest in fashion, but for me, Haliburton will always take that number one spot, even on the sidelines, where he sits, stands, and cheers for the team that was minutes away from doing what practically every commentator in sports thought was impossible in 2025.

(Image credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images; Pepper Robinson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Haliburton’s injury signaled a rebuild season for the Pacers, which any sports fan knows makes being a fan difficult. It’s fun to watch your team win. It’s far less fun to watch them struggle. One aspect of game time that’s consistently kept me entertained this season, though, is Haliburton’s sideline outfits. “Gram gon have to see a lot of fits this year,” he wrote on Instagram back in November 2025 shortly after the 2026 season kicked off alongside a slideshow of the outfits he’d already debuted. Think a grandpa sweater in a pastel shade layered over a shirt and tie and sport coats à la a liberal arts professor paired with denim and vintage Prada loafers. Later in the season, more recent sideline ensembles were posted to his grid. Highlights? A leather bomber jacket styled with a plaid tie, light-wash jeans, and The Row’s viral eel-leather loafers; a Carhartt Canadian tuxedo styled with sand-colored suede Dr. Martens; and camouflage pants styled with his signature Puma basketball shoes in baby pink.

In a league now full of players trying to express and differentiate themselves through their wardrobes, Haliburton’s style stands out. He’s not afraid to take risks, playing around with different aesthetics and brands and introducing vintage to the tunnel. “I’m a Grailed demon,” the Iowa State University alum told GQ in a TikTok video about his style from 2024. “I be on Grailed looking for everything,” he continued, referring to the online streetwear and fashion marketplace that’s packed with rare vintage and deadstock sneakers. In that same video, he discussed the change in his dressing intentions that took place in recent seasons, particularly when he arrived in Indianapolis. (Haliburton was drafted in 2020 to the Sacramento Kings but was traded in 2022 to the Pacers alongside Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson.) “I used to be like every other player in the NBA, wearing sneakers to every game with a graphic tee and some colored jeans, and call it a day,” he said. “I realized that I wanted to switch my style up and be a little different to everybody.” He started collaborating with stylist and designer Olivier Rogers, and everything changed.

(Image credit: David Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)

Tyrese Haliburton carrying a Margaux bag and wearing loafers, both from The Row, during the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals in May 2025.