Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton reenacted Reggie Miller‘s infamous “choke” gesture when his high-bouncing jump shot tied Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the end of regulation, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Haliburton thought he had won the game, but his foot was on the three-point line with Indiana down two points. The Pacers ultimately completed their historic comeback in overtime.
Haliburton said he has watched the “Winning Time” documentary featuring Miller and film director and Knicks fan Spike Lee “probably 50 times” growing up. Miller was courtside for Game 1 as an analyst for TNT.
“That’s just a historic moment,” Haliburton said after the game. “Obviously him versus Spike, kind of the one-on-one. I felt like [my gesture] was kind of to everybody. But to [Miller], too. I wanted him to see it more than anything.”
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Head coach Rick Carlisle had no issue with Haliburton’s celebration, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter video link). “Players can do what they want. It’s an emotional thing. It’s not a big deal,” Carlisle said. “… Tyrese has earned the right to do whatever he wants.”
- Although Haliburton was the one who made the gesture, forward Aaron Nesmith was the Pacer who best embodied Miller’s past heroics during the furious late-game rally, as Jared Schwartz of The New York Post relays. Nesmith scored 20 of his 30 points in the last five minutes of regulation, going 6-of-6 from long distance and making both of his free throws. “It’s unreal, it’s probably the best feeling in the world,” Nesmith said. “I love it, when that basket feels like an ocean, anything you toss up, it feels like it’s gonna go in. It’s just so much fun. Didn’t really realize what I was doing in the moment. Just trying to win a basketball game.”
- Comebacks have been a hallmark of the Pacers’ 2025 playoff run, according to Shakeia Taylor of The Athletic, who takes a closer look at how Indiana has clawed its way back into multiple games that seemed out of reach. The Pacers have now won three games this postseason when trailing by seven or more points in the final minute of regulation or overtime, something only one other team has accomplished since 1998 in a huge sample size (4-1,640). “We’ve had a lot of these games this year,” Carlisle said. “We’ve probably had a dozen of them throughout the season. A lot of the games early, where we were struggling, were games we had to pull out … it’s a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. It’s not easy. It’s not easy.“
greatest comeback in nba history
I knew the Knicks were doomed once Stephen A said Haliburton wasn’t a superstar.
Really? Is a 18ppg scorer a superstar now? I guess I just put too much value into the term SUPERstar because to me there are only like 5-6 of those in the league and Haliburton is not one of them lol
Being a superstar is more than just stats. It’s charisma, presence and fame. He has charisma and presence and the things he’s doing during these playoffs are definitely getting his name out there.
So a star doesnt have charisma, presence and fame?
I’m comfortable calling any all-NBA player a superstar, and like Chuck said, it’s more than just stats. Haliburton is one of the most likeable players in the game imo.
So Haliburton is in the same tier as Jokic, Giannis and SGA?
Not a fan of the gesture, if the Pacers dont win the series now that would be embarassing.
Like he should have saved it for the last game or something.
They didn’t win the series when Reggie did it either.
Damn why didnt it become a meme then lol Knicks fans lacking
There weren’t memes then …. Its about winning not celebrating.
But they let it become so iconic, I feel like if they won the series they didnt really choke
Yeah, ok buddy. You screamed like a baby when the Knicks got out of the second round. Now you’re crying like one,
Me??? I am not a knicks fan lol
Pacers in 4, Thunder in 4, Pacers in 4.
Haliburton is just an attention monger. He just wants to be relevant so bad. It’s like a struggling actor in NY who will do anything to get the part.
He should just let his game do the talking. Nothing but a Byter who can’t even create his own calling.
This will survive time well after Pacers are eliminated …….
Imo you handle Haliburton. You beat the Pacers, plain and simple. He is a good smart player. He’s not a great taley who can just dominate. He does well playing off the game and offense. He needs his teammates to be great. Bridges and Hart should make it their mission. To shut him down and up. This game 1 should wake up Knicks.
The NBA is a league now that rewards depth and versatility. Every team needs its role players to step up in the playoffs. It isn’t about who has the biggest star anymore. It’s about which team has the fewest weaknesses to exploit. It’s about which team can put together a good 8 or 9 man rotation under the current CBA. The Knicks lost that game in overtime in part because they were gassed and no one could keep up with Obi Toppin.
First dtop with what the NBA is now. Basketball hasn’t changed much. There is more talent is all. Depth has always been a strength for a team. The Celtics won all those titles cause of depth in 50s n 60s.
But you are right. Pacers do have a better bench. And it was instrumental in beating Knicks. Dude Knicks were up 9 with a min to go. They missed three FT that could have i ed it. Knicks blew it. You can call it Pacers D. You can call Knicks mistakes. Fact is a playoff team doesn’t lose when up 9 with a min to go. So absorb that. Be thankful and get ready for gm 2.
The dumbest take on Haliburton. You don’t watch Pacers games. Stick to the bing bong Knicks Al. Your ignorance is showing.
Tell me about him. I’m the only one on this board who called his talent. 2 yrs before his draft. Let me give you some advice. You can disagree with me all you want. When you want to start flame ignorance. You better be ready ……. you get one pass.
You’re such a poser, it’s unbelievable. This is just basketball. Man up and stop acting like such a baby.
Remember Reggie lost that game to a Toni Kukoc buzzer beater. Or that was a bow my bad
I loved what Hali did. Suddenly we can’t talk trash, gesture to the fans as an opposing player? Yet we want the old NBA back? And if you stop Hali, role players will show up. Knicks would waste a 43 point and 35 point game from their two best players and both were efficient. I loved every minute of that comeback for two obvious reasons. 1) I will forever have hatred for the Knicks and 2) Because it’s the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson
Thurmond Munson
Alcohol consumption
Pacers in 5.
You don’t want to there. I advise to never bring up Munson again. NY vs the second city .. F please …
the world wants a piece of us.
Please stop victim blaming yourself. If it wasn’t for MSG that franchise would be obsolete. Jets haven’t won anything pre watergate, Giants are the Giants, Mets haven’t won anything since Reagan adminstration, Rangers apparently get lucky every 54 years or so. Islanders are the Islanders…I can go on and on. So no, the entire “world wants a piece of us”. That’s false. I actually have pity for that city in the sports realm. Try so hard to still be big brother to everyone, but can’t even get out of their own way.
Only saving grace for that city is the Yankees (like usual), and the NY Liberty.
Oh btw..if you stopped talking like the world owes you something, you’d actually take the time to see that I am one of the biggest supporters for Munson being in the HOF, so try harder next time and learn the sports world does not revolve around NY being relevant.
Hope Pacers sweep this team and then they can go celebrate their 1973 banner again.
PacersFan
May 23, 2025
The dumbest take on Haliburton. You don’t watch Pacers games. Stick to the bing bong Knicks Al. Your ignorance is showing.
__________
So since all you know is how to flame. Explain to all of us what’s so dumb about it. Please educate me.
I’m waiting gasbag enlighten me.
GhostofThomasHamilton
May 23, 2025
You’re such a poser, it’s unbelievable. This is just basketball. Man up and stop acting like such a baby.
What I know and what you think you know. Is what makes us different. I don’t GAF about your insecure self. Go hide behind the mute. The fluke is what you think you know ….
ThomasHamilton ???? Which one .. ??
Gasbag lol you must be old or just plain ignorant. Oh no there goes my one pass. I’m scared. 🙄 🤦♂️