The Indiana Pacers are savoring their trip to the NBA Finals, a stage the team hasn`t reached since 2000. They`re fully embracing this significant achievement.
The Indiana squad overcame the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, clinching the series with a decisive 125-108 victory in Game 6 on Saturday night. The Pacers are now set to face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA MVP, and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, which are scheduled to begin on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Pacers` series-clinching win was remarkable, featuring seven players scoring in double figures. Pascal Siakam was the standout performer, leading the team with 31 points and earning the title of Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Tyrese Haliburton was crucial in the second half, finishing the game with an impressive 21 points and 13 rebounds.
According to research by ESPN, Haliburton`s performance places him in rare company: he is the third player in NBA history, and the very first in a Conference Finals, to record over 60 assists with 10 or fewer turnovers in a single playoff series.
The path for Indiana to reach the Finals wasn`t easy, presenting significant challenges both during games and off the court.
Following their Eastern Conference title win, the Pacers` social media team, along with Tyrese Haliburton himself, didn`t hold back in engaging in some playful trolling aimed at the Knicks, referencing their shared history and rivalry. They landed several memorable jabs on social media.
Pacers `Packed Up` New York
The Pacers possess a notable history of playoff victories over the Knicks in the 21st century, having previously eliminated them in 2000, 2013, and 2024, and now adding 2025 to that list.
To visually emphasize their recent dominance over New York in the playoffs, the Pacers released a graphic. It depicted their starting five players positioned prominently in front of iconic New York City landmarks, specifically the Empire State Building and the 73-story One Vanderbilt tower, suggesting they had `packed up` the New York team.
The `Big Apple` Taunt
In another social media post, the Pacers compiled images featuring the sports pages of various newspapers that reported on their wins against the Knicks throughout the series. This post served as a clever jab at New York`s famous nickname, `the Big Apple`.
Haliburton Channels Miller
Back in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Indiana legend Reggie Miller famously directed a choking gesture toward director and ardent Knicks fan Spike Lee, who was seated courtside at Madison Square Garden. Fast forward twenty-five years, and Haliburton paid homage to this moment by replicating the gesture in Game 1 of the current series. This occurred after the Pacers successfully completed a comeback, erasing a lead of more than 14 points with just 2:51 remaining in regulation. The Pacers` social media team was quick to capture and share this historical echo.
Haliburton`s Reply to Ben Stiller
Celebrated actor Ben Stiller is a well-known figure often seen courtside at Knicks games and is an active supporter of the team on social media platforms. Prior to Game 6, Tyrese Haliburton arrived for the game dressed in an all-black outfit and carrying a black duffle bag. Stiller reacted to a photo of Haliburton`s arrival with a tweet commenting: “Good thing he brought his duffle for the flight to NY.”
Haliburton`s swift post-game response was pointed:
“Nah, was to pack y`all up,” clearly referencing the Knicks` elimination from the playoffs.
Haliburton vs. New York Fandom
Knicks fans displayed aggressive behavior at various points during the playoffs. Following the Knicks` victory over the Celtics in the East semifinals (Game 6), one notable incident involved fans throwing garbage bags and hurling insults at a Pacers fan who was simply wearing a Haliburton jersey while walking on the streets of New York in the hours after the game.
In a show of support, Haliburton personally invited the accosted fan to attend Game 4 in Indianapolis. Furthermore, Haliburton made it clear he “kept the receipts” regarding the incident, notably concluding a highlight reel showcasing his best moments from the series with a reference to the fan`s experience.