After 28 in Game 5, Siakam’s ‘Silent MVP’ Push Raises Question: Is He the Real Finals MVP… or Still Overshadowed by Haliburton?

Pascal Siakam doesn’t beat his chest. He doesn’t demand headlines. But in the pressure-cooker of the NBA Finals, he’s making noise in the only language that matters—winning basketball. After dropping a pivotal 28 points in Game 5, lifting the Indiana Pacers to the brink of a title, the NBA world is being forced to ask a tough question: Is Siakam the true Finals MVP in waiting, or is he still living in the shadow of Tyrese Haliburton’s star power?

Game after game, Siakam has delivered when it counts. He has guarded the opposition’s best forwards. He’s grabbed crucial rebounds. And in Game 5—arguably the biggest of the series so far—he put up 28 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and handed out 4 assists while shooting over 55% from the floor. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. But it was the performance Indiana needed to tilt the series.

While Haliburton garners national attention with his flair, court vision, and no-look assists, Siakam’s impact has been steady, subtle, and surgical. It’s exactly what championship basketball often requires: a seasoned veteran who knows how to rise without needing the spotlight.

When Siakam was traded to the Pacers midseason, many wondered if he could adapt fast enough to matter in the postseason. Now, it’s clear: his transition wasn’t just smooth—it was transformative. He brought championship pedigree to a young, ambitious Pacers squad and has elevated them from exciting to elite.

In these Finals, he’s averaging just under 24 points per game, with 8 rebounds and nearly 5 assists. But the numbers alone don’t capture how many of those points have come in must-score situations—late in the fourth, when momentum teetered and every possession mattered.

Game 5 was Siakam’s finest postseason performance as a Pacer. In a back-and-forth battle where Haliburton struggled with his shot and playmaking under tighter defensive pressure, it was Siakam who imposed his will. He drove into traffic, finished through contact, and calmly hit midrange jumpers that silenced the crowd and steadied his team.

But it’s not hard to understand why Haliburton still owns the headlines. He is the face of the Pacers’ franchise renaissance. He’s young, magnetic, and makes passes that ignite social media within seconds. Haliburton’s double-doubles and flashy court charisma have drawn fans and analysts alike.

Yet, there’s been inconsistency in the Finals. He has played well, but not dominantly. His shooting percentages have dipped, and defenses are increasingly forcing the ball out of his hands. And while he remains a vital playmaker, there’s a growing sense that it’s Siakam who is doing more of the grinding that wins championships.

Siakam has been here before. He was a key contributor—if not the engine—in the Raptors’ 2019 title run, and that experience shows. He understands the moment. He’s patient with his opportunities and rarely forces the action. And that poise, especially late in games, has become a defining edge for Indiana.

His Game 5 showing didn’t just keep Indiana alive—it might have shifted the MVP conversation. With the Pacers up 3-2 in the series and potentially just one win away from their first title, Finals MVP voting looms. And it’s clear that if voters look past box score glitz and instead focus on impact, leadership, and clutch play, Siakam has a compelling argument.

Another countered: “You don’t get to rewrite the season in the last five games. Haliburton has carried this team for months.”

Should the Pacers close out the series in Game 6 or 7, and Siakam continues his high-efficiency dominance, the league may have no choice but to crown him Finals MVP. He’s not the showman. He’s not the viral highlight machine. But he is the consistent heartbeat of this Pacers team on the biggest stage.