As the NBA playoffs heat up once again, all eyes turn to Madison Square Garden, where a fierce rivalry is set to reignite. Tyrese Haliburton, the two-time All-Star point guard for the Indiana Pacers, has embraced the duality of being the antagonist in the theater of basketball, particularly when facing off against the New York Knicks. In the previous year, Haliburton relished this role, first when the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in a gripping seven-game series in the Eastern Conference semifinals and later during a memorable skirmish with Jalen Brunson at a WWE event held at the iconic arena.
The Garden, known for its passionate and often unforgiving crowd, has not yet showered Haliburton with the same vitriol reserved for past nemeses like Reggie Miller, who famously tormented Knicks fans throughout the ’90s. However, as the Pacers gear up to face the Knicks in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, that disdain might just reach new heights. “For sure, it’s a lot of fun, man,” Haliburton remarked in anticipation of the series. He reminisced about the previous year’s playoffs, highlighting how the momentum swung back and forth, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. “It felt like nobody could win two in a row until we were able to do it [in Games 6 & 7].”
Haliburton’s recognition of the crowd’s sentiments is intriguing. He noted, “Going into the series, I think that [the MSG fans] didn’t like the [Pacers] organization, but I don’t think there were certain guys that their fans didn’t like.” The dynamic has shifted, and now, as he quipped, “they don’t really like us too much.” This evolution of rivalry adds a layer of drama, reminiscent of scripted sports entertainment, which Haliburton himself enjoys.
Adding to the narrative, Haliburton joked about his father’s absence from the games, a consequence of being banned for confronting Giannis Antetokounmpo in a previous playoff game. This anecdote not only lightens the mood but also illustrates the high stakes and emotional investment that surround playoff basketball—where every moment, on and off the court, is charged with intensity.
Statistically, Haliburton made a significant impact in the previous playoff series against the Knicks, averaging 21.3 points and 7.0 assists. This year, he will renew his friendly rivalry with Brunson, who he has grown close to after their time together on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2023. While both players share mutual respect, their competitive spirits will undoubtedly be on display as they vie for a coveted spot in the NBA Finals.
The WWE event last summer served as a unique intersection of sports and entertainment, showcasing how athletes can transcend their traditional roles. Haliburton recalled the excitement of the night, expressing his enthusiasm for WWE and his dreams of collaborating with legends like Triple H. He shared a lighthearted moment when he discovered Brunson would also be attending the event, saying, “It was like, ‘No question, I’ll be there,’ but I had no idea Jalen was going until I got there.” Their playful banter, both in the ring and on the court, adds an engaging subplot to their rivalry that fans can rally behind.
As the Pacers and Knicks prepare to clash once more, both teams are eager to break long-standing playoff droughts, with the Knicks last reaching the NBA Finals in 1999 and the Pacers in 2000. In a league where narratives are crafted as much by statistics as by the stories behind them, Haliburton is keen to write his chapter in this storied rivalry. With the stakes higher than ever, the excitement surrounding Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals promises to deliver a thrilling blend of athletic prowess and dramatic storytelling, keeping fans on their toes and reminding us why we love this game.
