Tyrese Haliburton is very well-versed in the lore of his franchise.
The Indiana Pacers star guard Haliburton delivered an excellent game on Sunday as the lights were brightest. In Game 7 against the New York Knicks, Haliburton answered the call with 26 points on six made treys as the Pacers stunned the Knicks at Madison Square Garden to win in a 130-109 blowout. He even talked trash to the Knicks faithful during his scoring outburst in the first half (video here).
After his team’s victory, Haliburton continued the barbs by showing up to his postgame press conference in some very fitting attire. He wore a hoodie with the famous image of Pacers great Reggie Miller flashing the choke sign.
Angela Moryan of WISH-TV in Indianapolis shared the great photo.
Tyrese Haliburton showing up to the press conference with the iconic Reggie Miller choking photo on his sweatshirt. @WISH_TV #Pacers #BoomBaby #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AnSRAfbp51
— Angela Moryan (@AngelaMoryanTV) May 19, 2024
Of course, Miller is one of the most reviled figures in Knicks history and was even nicknamed “Knick Killer” for his many triumphs over the years at their expense. Miller and the Pacers faced the Knicks in the playoffs six different times from 1993-2000 (with the two teams earning three wins each). Their rivalry culminated in 1994 when the Pacers and Knicks met in the Eastern Conference Finals and Miller flashed the choke signal to Knicks superfan Spike Lee as Indiana came back to win Game 5 (though the Knicks would still take the series in seven games).
Fittingly enough, Miller was on the call for TNT during multiple games of this year’s Knicks-Pacers series (leading to a fantastic viral moment with the MSG crowd in Game 2). As for the 24-year-old Haliburton, who wasn’t even born yet when Miller first did the choke gesture, he made sure to give a nod to Miller as the Pacers did right by him on Sunday and took out the Knicks.
