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.
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.
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.