Umpire Laz Diaz caught on hot mic admitting he screwed up a call
MLB fans just want some accountability for umpires when they mess up. They might be pleased that one notorious umpire took ownership of an error during a game Wednesday night.
During the bottom of the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game at Fenway Park in Boston, Ma. between the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, home plate umpire Laz Diaz called a pitch a strike despite it clearly being both low and away. Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell was visibly unhappy with the call, and Diaz seemed to realize immediately he had gotten it wrong.
“That’s on me, Kristian. Hey, that’s on me,” Diaz could be heard saying via a field microphone.
Laz Diaz immediately realized he got this call wrong
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 22, 2025
“That’s on me, Kristian. Hey, that’s on me.” pic.twitter.com/jmBMWx6wZN
Diaz deserves some credit for acknowledging the error. Of course, it doesn’t really help Campbell, who was now facing a 1-2 count instead of a much more favorable 2-1 count against Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
Diaz is not exactly one of the league’s more popular umpires. He is known for his sometimes inconsistent strike zone, and his calls were the cause of one of the more memorable managerial ejections in recent years. While some will appreciate him taking responsibility for a missed call, it would be preferable if his calls stopped being issues at all.
ESPN boss addresses concerns about ‘Inside the NBA’
While ESPN has saved “Inside the NBA” from cancellation by putting the show on its air starting next season, there have been some concerns among those involved about the move. The network’s president, however, does not appear to be worried about any potential issues.
ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro made clear recently that he anticipates all four members of the “Inside” crew to remain with the show as it moves to the network, and he has not heard of any worries behind-the-scenes.
“I have not heard any false notes. My understanding is we’re keeping the band together,” Pitaro told Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports last week.
Pitaro is no doubt aware that some of the crew have concerns about the move from TNT to ESPN. Charles Barkley, in particular, has made it very clear that he has no interest in appearing on any of the network’s other programs. There are also some unanswered questions about what the show’s format will look like on a different network.
ESPN is clearly comfortable with the arrangement. All four of the show’s stars are under contract going forward, and will still technically be Turner employees as part of the deal. ESPN also appears to be resisting the urge to tinker with the show’s tested format, at least for now. As long as that continues, everything should work out fine for all involved.
Former MLB player sues Reds over their field conditions
Former Major League Baseball player Darin Ruf has filed a lawsuit against the Cincinnati Reds claiming that their field conditions led to his career-ending injury on June 2, 2023.
Ruf alleged that the tarp at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Oh. lacked protective padding, causing him to suffer a major leg injury that ended his career. He is seeking punitive and compensatory damages from the Reds as a result.
“This didn’t need to happen. I wish it didn’t happen,” Ruf said in a statement to WLWT. “Players shouldn’t have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a Major League field.”
Ruf was chasing a popup in foul ground during the game while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, and collided with the tarp while doing so. He left the game immediately and has not placed since.
— cboxmedia (@cboxmedia2024) May 22, 2025
The Reds declined comment, stating they could not address active litigation.
Ruf played nine years at the MLB level for four teams, most notably with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants. He was a career .239 hitter with 67 career home runs, and was a part of two playoff teams. His best year came with the Giants in 2021, when he hit .271 with 16 home runs and a .904 OPS.
More stories about Jim Irsay’s quiet philanthropy emerge
Jim Irsay died on Wednesday at the age of 65, and many stories about his philanthropy have emerged since his death.
Irsay was the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts. He was known for his philanthropy, which included large donations to projects such as hospitals, the Indianapolis Zoo, a local YMCA, and a research institute at Indiana University. While his and the Colts’ contributions to many high-profile projects were known, Irsay did many more things quietly.
Erik Burkhardt, a football agent for Roc Nation Sports, shared a story about Irsay via X on Thursday.
“A brief Jim Irsay story that I believe is important to share: Years ago I had a Colts client (player) who unexpectedly lost a beloved family member. Mr. Irsay personally called me with the sincerest condolences for the entire family. Further, he offered to pay for the funeral, which we graciously dismissed. Days later Jim’s right-hand-man called me and INSISTED that Mr. Irsay pay for the funeral. His ‘one condition’ was that it wasn’t made public that he did this. Upon following through & assisting them in executing his amazing gesture, his guy told me in confidence: ‘Jim Irsay does sooooo many incredible things like this on his own and without credit. Last yr (sic) alone he paid for HUNDREDS of funerals…,” Burkhardt wrote.
Larry Brown Sports also received an email from someone sharing a similar story. Irsay had quietly sent blue flowers to a funeral for a man who was murdered in 2000. The deceased man had a relative who worked in payroll for the Colts, according to what we were told.
Another person shared a similar story via X and provided photo proof of the Colts and Irsay sending flowers to a funeral.
— Mike Johnston (@iam4iu42) May 22, 2025
And here is another story about Irsay that went viral:
Three things I’ll remember about Jim Irsay from stories that were told to me about him over the years:
— Stephen Andress (@StephenAndress1) May 21, 2025
– He made it a point to give every Colts employee a birthday card with a $100 bill.
– He would randomly give the homeless a wad of cash from time to time in hopes of helping… pic.twitter.com/tiaVbuUM9i
The great philanthropy is a big part of Irsay’s legacy. And apparently a lot of his philanthrophy was done more privately than publicly.
Dolphins sign brother of QB draft bust
The Miami Dolphins have signed a new quarterback, and the name is one that is quite familiar to NFL fans.
Brett Gabbert has agreed to a deal with the Dolphins, the team announced on Thursday. The undrafted free agent out of Miami (OH) is the younger brother of veteran free-agent quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Gabbert, 24, played at Miami for six seasons. He was named the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2019 after he threw for 2,411 yards, 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while leading the RedHawks to an 8-6 record.
Gabbert battled some injuries throughout his college career but had a strong year in 2024. He led Miami to a 9-5 record while throwing for 2,921 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The season earned Gabbert First-team All-MAC honors.
Blaine Gabbert last played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. The 35-year-old did not sign with a team last season.
The elder Gabbert has carved out a solid career for himself as a backup, but he is best known for being a draft bust. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him 10th overall out of Missouri in 2011, but Blaine lasted less than two full seasons as a full-time starter.
Brett joins a roster in Miami that includes Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers, so he will face an uphill battle to make the team heading into the 2025 season.
Oregon would have had much better chance to win national championship under new CFP rules
The College Football Playoff has made a big change that will go into effect for the 2025-2026 season, and it’s one that likely would have benefited the Oregon Ducks had it been in place for last season.
The CFP on Thursday made a change to a straight seeding model beginning with the upcoming season. You may recall that Boise State and Arizona State really lucked out thanks to the old model. Boise State had been ranked 9th in the final CFP rankings, and ASU was 12th. Yet they both received big bumps up when the brackets came out due to the old rules rewarding conference champions.
Penn State really lucked out with the old rules because they got to face the No. 10 team (SMU) and No. 9 team (Boise State) in their first two games.
Oregon got a first-round bye, but due to the changes, they had to face the winner of the Ohio State-Tennessee game in the second round, which was really the No. 6 vs. No. 7 matchup. They also were set to play Texas in the semifinal even though Texas was the No. 3 team in the seedings.
In a traditional tournament-style event with seedings respected, Oregon would have had a bye in the first round and then would have faced the 8/9 winner between Indiana and Boise State. They then would have been in line to face the (5) Notre Dame-(4) Penn State winner in the semifinals. Oregon would have had the type of path that Penn State lucked into.
This is what the bracket would have looked like with a straight seeding … pic.twitter.com/HbDmgOzb7M
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) May 22, 2025
None of this absolves Oregon from no-showing in their game against Ohio State. But if the seedings had been done according to the final rankings, the Ducks would have been facing lower-ranked teams. They would have received the benefits that Penn State lucked into receiving.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bought over $10k in gifts for each of his teammates
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated his MVP award by lavishing his teammates with some remarkably expensive gifts.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “NBA Today” Thursday that Gilgeous-Alexander presented each of his teammates with a gift basket on Wednesday after being named MVP. These were not just normal gifts, either.
Charania said everyone on the roster, from starters to two-way players, received a gift basket that included a Rolex watch, an iPhone, Beats By Dre headphone sets, and Canada Goose jackets. The jackets were custom-embroidered with the team 68-14 record to commemorate the season they had.
Each gift basket contained more than $10,000 worth of gifts.
Thunder forward Jaylin Williams posted video Wednesday night of he and his teammates showing off their new Rolexes.
SGA got Rolexes for his teammates ⌚🔥
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 21, 2025
(via @Jay_MWilliams_ / IG) pic.twitter.com/SObbuJIeXu
Gilgeous-Alexander certainly went above and beyond in treating his teammates after winning the award. His emotional comments after winning the honor will also win him a lot of fans.
The star guard is making over $35 million this season, and will be eligible for a $380 million supermax contract next season after winning MVP. He can certainly afford the gifts, but that does not make the gesture any less great.
Nuggets make decision on their new head coach
The Denver Nuggets have quickly made a decision on their new head coach just four days after their season ended.
The Nuggets are retaining interim coach David Adelman on a permanent basis, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Charania adds that the Nuggets were “impressed” with Adelman’s work during the postseason, where he led Denver within one game of the Western Conference Finals despite taking over so late in the season.
Nuggets were impressed with Adelman's work as interim coach and moved forward swiftly with him as the full-time coach, sources said. Denver will take a period of time now after the season to sort through its general manager hire. https://t.co/cjwozIwEdY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 22, 2025
Adelman ensures that the Nuggets maintain some semblance of continuity after a tumultuous season. The 44-year-old had previously served as an assistant coach under former coach Michael Malone since the 2017 season, so he was deeply familiar with the team and its roster.
Adelman, the son of former NBA head coach Rick Adelman, went 3-0 in the regular season after Malone’s shocking firing. The Nuggets then outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers in a seven-game first round series before falling to Oklahoma City in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Nuggets are at a crossroads after a disappointing playoff exit, and there are long-term questions about their roster. The team is also in the hunt for a new general manager, with that hire likely to take longer.
College Football Playoff approves major change to seeding for 2025
One of the biggest complaints about the first 12-team College Football Playoff last season was the way seeding was determined, and that is already set to change in 2025.
The College Football Playoff’s management committee reached a unanimous decision on Thursday to move to a straight seeding model, according to ESPN’s Heather Dinich. What that means is that the four highest-ranked teams in the final College Football Playoff Rankings of the season will be the top four seeds in the playoff field and all receive byes.
The four highest-ranked conference champions each received a first-round bye in last year’s College Football Playoff. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State were the top four seeds and received an automatic bid into the quarterfinals. Oregon and Georgia were ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final CFP Rankings of the season. Boise State was ranked No. 9 and Arizona State was ranked No. 12.
Under the new seeding model, Oregon and Georgia still would have received byes. Texas and Penn State, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in the final CFP Rankings, would have gotten the other two byes.
The biggest argument in favor of the previous model was that the four highest-ranked conference champions would have had to play in their respective conference championship games. Some view the automatic bye as a reward for playing an additional game, but it was determined that a change was needed.
Notre Dame will also benefit from the new model, as they now have an opportunity to earn a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff despite not being affiliated with a conference.
We could see some other major tweaks to the College Football Playoff in the coming years, but the new seeding model is the only one that will go into effect immediately.
Jordon Hudson cracks nauseating joke about Bill Belichick’s age
Bill Belichick has been the butt of countless jokes since he began dating a woman who is young enough to be his granddaughter, and even Jordon Hudson has decided to get on the fun. Most people wish she didn’t.
Hudson shared a video on Instagram Wednesday evening that showed her having what appeared to be a waterfront dinner with Belichick. There was a container of Old Bay seasoning on the table, which may have been by design.
Hudson captioned the post “Old Bay with my old bae.”
'Old Bay with my old bae.'
— theScore (@theScore) May 22, 2025
Jordon Hudson had jokes during her dinner date with Belichick. 😂😂
(🎥: jordon/IG) pic.twitter.com/8jz8a1OX4f
Oh boy.
Hudson, who is 24, is nearly 50 years younger than the 73-year-old Belichick. The age gap is far less concerning to Belichick fans than the type of influence Hudson seems to have over the North Carolina coach’s professional and personal life.
It seems like Hudson embraces the fact that she is dating a much, much older man, but she should probably leave the jokes to the professionals.
Steelers president reveals how long team will wait for Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his future, but the organization is prepared to wait a little longer.
Steelers president Art Rooney II confirmed Thursday that the door remains open for Rodgers to join the team. He was vague on just how long the team would be willing to wait on the quarterback, but the time has not come to move on just yet.
“A little while longer. I’ll say the same thing,” Rooney said Thursday, reaffirming comments he made about the situation on April 1.
#Steelers president Art Rooney II — who said April 1 that the Steelers will wait "not forever, but a little while longer" for Aaron Rodgers — delivered a similar line on his way out of Wednesday's owners meetings.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2025
“A little while longer. I’ll say the same thing," he said.
When Rooney originally said he was prepared to keep waiting at the start of April, he was probably hoping Rodgers would have decided by now. Reports indicate the Steelers know no more now than they did at that time.
The assumption around the league remains that Rodgers will ultimately join the Steelers. The franchise itself maintains it has no such assurances, though some close to Rodgers think otherwise.
The Steelers are taking a risk, as Mason Rudolph is the most accomplished quarterback currently on the team’s roster. They did not make a move for one in the draft until the sixth round, when they picked Will Howard. That was taken by many as a signal that the team is very confident in landing Rodgers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cries while thanking wife Hailey Summers in MVP speech
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was finally announced as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on Wednesday, and the Oklahoma City Thunder star was unable to hold back tears while thanking his wife after winning the award.
Gilgeous-Alexander beat out Denver Nuggets star and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who finished second in the voting. The result was widely expected after Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-leading 32.7 points per game this season to go along with 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
During his MVP acceptance speech, Gilgeous-Alexander gave a special thank you to his wife Hailey Summers. He had to pause multiple times to wipe his eyes.
“Sorry, I’m so dramatic,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Hailey Summers, thank you for everything you are, for me, for our son Ares. You were the first person to show me what love really meant, what sacrifice really meant, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you. Thank you for everything. I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the father I am without you.”
"I wouldn't be the man I am, I wouldn't be the player I am, I wouldn't be the father I am without you."
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025
SGA gets emotional talking about his wife, Hailey Summers, and her impact on his life 🥹🫶
A beautiful moment for the #KiaMVP and his family. https://t.co/vWio57E6O5 pic.twitter.com/2yZetoe1jp
That was a rare glimpse into Gilgeous-Alexander’s personal life, as he and Summers have largely tried to keep details of their relationship private. The couple announced in June 2023 that they had gotten engaged and then that they were married on Valentine’s Day of last year, though they have always kept things subtle on social media.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 32 on national TV last night.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 14, 2024
Gets married today.
Starts in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
Pretty solid week.
Congrats to SGA and Hailey! pic.twitter.com/JXEnXucby4
Gilgeous-Alexander and Summers’ son Ares was born on April 25, 2024.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s style of play on the court is anything but soft, which has already angered some fans during the Western Conference Finals. The emotional side he showed while talking about his wife is not something fans were used to from SGA.
Stephen A. Smith responds to calls for ESPN to fire Ryan Clark
Many people have called for Ryan Clark to be fired by ESPN in the wake of the comments the former NFL player made about Robert Griffin III, and Stephen A. Smith has now shared some of his thoughts on the subject.
Clark and Griffin have been feuding since RG3 shared his opinion that Angel Reese “hates” Caitlin Clark after seeing the way Reese reacted to a hard foul from Clark during Saturday’s Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game. Ryan Clark said he feels that Griffin is unqualified to say that about Reese because Griffin is married to a white woman and therefore does not understand black women like Reese.
A report on Tuesday claimed some of Clark’s ESPN colleagues believe he crossed the line and want to see him disciplined. Smith weighed in during the latest episode of his self-titled show, which was released on Wednesday.
While Smith admitted that he felt Clark “crossed the line,” he said any talk of Clark being fired is ridiculous.
“I don’t want to hear sh– about Ryan Clark getting fired. I don’t want to hear that,” Smith said, as transcribed by Reice Shipley of Awful Announcing. “Ryan Clark is my colleague, he is my friend and brother. He is a good man and a good brother. There is no way on earth that I would be quiet if he was fired over something like this. I’m not saying he’s right, and I’ll get into that in a second. But this is not a fireable offense.”
Smith also suggested that Clark and Griffin have a history that has played a role in their beef.
“I love my man RC. I thought he crossed the line when he brought up you, RGIII, being married not once but twice to white women,” Smith added. “But he don’t like your a–. That might have had something to do with it.
“I’m not condoning him doing that. I’m not condoning him bringing that up. If RC and I had spoke about it in-depth, I would have told him don’t go there. There’s no need for all of that. But I want to emphasize something very important. RGIII, he never attacked your wife. He never attacked your family. He was attacking you, and you know it.”
Smith believes there is a difference between Clark mentioning how Griffin is married to a white woman and actually saying something negative about RG3’s wife. The longtime analyst also did not appreciate Griffin saying Clark’s comments are a “bad look” for ESPN, as Smith believes that was RG3’s way of trying to get the network to take action against Clark.
Neither Clark not Griffin have backed down from anything they have said. One of Clark’s former teammates suggested Clark’s comments were hypocritical since Clark has a child with a white woman. Clark issued a response to that on Wednesday as well.
Rick Carlisle backs Tyrese Haliburton’s choke gesture
There are some people who may have been bothered by the choking gesture that Tyrese Haliburton did during the Indiana Pacers’ historic comeback win on Wednesday night, but his head coach was not one of them.
Haliburton hit a step-back shot at the final buzzer in regulation to force overtime in Indiana’s 138-153 win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers initially thought Haliburton hit a game-winning three-pointer, but reviews showed that his foot was on the line.
Haliburton celebrated his latest clutch shot by doing the famous Reggie Miller choke gesture. Miller was in the building calling the game for TNT, too. You can see the video here.
After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was asked if he would have preferred that Haliburton not make the choke gesture. Carlisle had a great response.
“Tyrese has earned the right to do whatever he wants,” Carlisle said.
Rick Carlisle is asked whether he wished Haliburton hadn’t done the choking gesture: “Tyrese has earned the right to do whatever he wants.”
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 22, 2025
That was not the only huge shot Haliburton has hit in the postseason, which is why Carlisle is not about to tell his best player how he can and can’t celebrate.
The Pacers had no business even being in Game 1 late in the fourth quarter, let alone somehow pulling off the comeback. One brutal stat illustrates just how big of a collapse the result was for New York.
Haliburton led the Pacers with 31 points, but no shot was bigger than the one he made as time expired in the fourth quarter. He told reporters afterward that fans had been asking him to do the famous Miller choke, so he felt that was as good a time as any. It seems like Carlisle may have agreed.
Liam Hendriks says his family has received death threats
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was knocked around in his last two outings, and the veteran right-hander says he has received death threats over it.
Hendriks took the mound in a 1-1 game in the seventh inning of the Red Sox’s game against the New York Mets on Wednesday at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. He allowed 3 hits and 3 earned runs in 2/3 of an inning and was charged with the loss as the Red Sox fell 5-1.
Hendriks’ previous appearance was on Friday, when he allowed 2 hits and 2 earned runs in 2/3 of an inning. Boston lost that game 4-2 to the Atlanta Braves.
On Thursday, Hendriks revealed via Instagram that he and his wife have received death threats. The 36-year-old said fans have told him he should kill himself and that they wished he died from cancer. Hendriks beat cancer two years ago.
“Just as an FYI: Threats against my life and my wife’s life are horrible and cruel. You need help,” Hendriks wrote on Instagram. “Leaving comments telling me to commit suicide and how you wish I died from cancer is disgusting and vile.
“Maybe you should take a step back and reevaluate your life’s purpose before hiding behind a screen attacking players and their families. Whether you do it from your ‘fake accounts’ or are dumb enough to do it from your real account. I think I speak for all players who have had to deal with this in their career when I say: Enough is enough.”
Liam Hendriks is now receiving death threats pic.twitter.com/DZk4XNFZ54
— Shawn (@PalmerDesigns_) May 22, 2025
Hendriks signed a 2-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox during the offseason. He previously had not pitched in an MLB game since he was with the Chicago White Sox in 2023. He battled cancer prior to that season and then was shut down to undergo Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for all of 2024 as well.
Prior to Wednesday’s game, Hendriks told the Boston Globe that he has been frustrated with his role in Boston’s bullpen. He said there is “no rhyme or reason” to how manager Alex Cora has been utilizing him. He reiterated his stance after Wednesday’s loss and said he feels he needs to pitch more often in order to be effective.
Hendriks now has a 5.56 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11 appearances with the Red Sox. He is not the first athlete to report that he has received death threats via social media.
Report: NFL pushed Packers to propose tush push ban
The Green Bay Packers decided to represent all of those who want the tush push banned by submitting a proposal this offseason calling for just that, but they may have done so at the request of the NFL.
The Packers formally submitted a proposal to ban the tush push ahead of the NFL owners’ meetings in March. Owners decided to table their vote then and revisit the discussion at the owners’ meetings in Minneapolis this week. The proposal, which included revised language, was voted down, meaning the tush push is here to stay for at least another season.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL asked the Packers to propose the tush push ban. Detroit Lions president Rod Wood also said this week that the league encouraged his team to propose a change to playoff seeding, which was also voted down.
Florio says the same happened with Green Bay and the tush push. A source told the reporter that most people within the Packers organization do not have a strong opinion on the play either way.
It would make sense for the NFL to have asked the Packers to become the face of the anti-tush push movement. Team president Mark Murphy had previously complained about the so-called “Brotherly Shove” and said there is “no skill involved” in the play. You can read his full comments.
Green Bay is now looked at as the “loser” with their efforts to have the Philadelphia Eagles’ favorite play removed from the game. The Eagles were more than happy to troll their NFC rival when the proposal was shot down, too.
Tyrese Haliburton’s dad celebrates with choke gesture
The New York Knicks had a historic collapse in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, and Tyrese Haliburton’s father had an appropriate celebration afterward.
The Pacers beat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. It appeared the game was over when Indiana was trailing by 14 points with just over three minutes remaining, but the Pacers somehow forced OT on a Haliburton buzzer-beater at the end of regulation.
After draining the clutch basket, Haliburton did the iconic Reggie Miller choke gesture. You can see the video here.
Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, watched the game from a bar. John celebrated Indiana’s win with a very similar gesture:
Hali daddy in here clowning 😂 YES’CERSSSS @Pacers pic.twitter.com/s3dUO5FmmE
— Nurse Ky👩🏽⚕️ (@pplcallme_Ky) May 22, 2025
John Haliburton is known for sitting courtside at Pacers games and being quite animated. However, he has been away from the team since he had a heated on-court incident with Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round of the playoffs. He also reportedly got into it with a fan at one point.
Tyrese has joked that his father has been enjoying watching games from home, but it looks like John decided to venture out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He and his fellow Pacers supporters had plenty to be happy about.
Tony Dungy reacts to Jim Irsay’s death with social media post
Longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died on Wednesday at the age of 65, and the coach who helped bring Irsay his only Super Bowl win has shared his reaction to the news.
Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy said in a social media post on Thursday that he was devastated to learn of Irsay’s death. Dungy called Irsay “one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known.”
“When I got the news last night that Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep it was devastating to me. The Bible says in many places that tomorrow is not promised to us but I wasn’t ready for this. Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known,” Dungy wrote on X. “He was awesome to me and my family. He was a blessing to his players and staff. But more than that he had a heart for people and for the city of Indianapolis. He loved people and did so many things for others — more things than you could imagine. I miss him already. He was a special man and I couldn’t have worked for a better owner.”
When I got the news last night that Jim Irsay had passed away in his sleep it was devastating to me. The Bible says in many places that tomorrow is not promised to us but I wasn’t ready for this.
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) May 22, 2025
Jim was one of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known. He was… pic.twitter.com/Gf7qNXCTPD
Dungy was the head coach of the Colts from 2002-2008, which was during Peyton Manning’s prime with team. Dungy helped lead Indy to the playoffs in all seven seasons. The Colts won the Super Bowl in 2006, and that was Irsay’s lone championship as owner of the franchise.
Manning also issued a heartfelt statement after receiving news that Irsay had died.
Irsay inherited the Colts from his father Robert, who had acquired the franchise in 1972. Robert moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis, and put son Jim in charge as general manager in 1984. Jim became the team’s owner in 1997 following the death of his father.
The tributes from Dungy, Manning and others show just how well-liked Irsay was as a person.
Caitlin Clark shares message after Pacers’ epic comeback
The Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning comeback against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night, and Caitlin Clark had a great reaction to the latest feat.
The Pacers beat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. Indiana was down 14 points with 2:51 remaining in the fourth quarter and scored 23 points in the final 3:14 of regulation to extend the game.
Clark was so impressed she sent an all-caps message on social media.
“PACERS ARE THE GREATEST COMEBACK TEAM IVE EVER SEEN,” Clark wrote on X.
PACERS ARE THE GREATEST COMEBACK TEAM IVE EVER SEEN
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) May 22, 2025
Aaron Nesmith made five three-pointers in the final four minutes of regulation. He had six three-pointers total in the fourth quarter and is the only player in NBA history to ever accomplish that feat during a postseason game. Tyrese Haliburton hit a step-back shot at the buzzer in the fourth quarter to force overtime, and he celebrated with a timely tribute to Reggie Miller.
For whatever reason, the Pacers simply do not get rattled when trailing late in the fourth quarter. They had similar comeback wins against both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the playoffs.
As Yahoo Sports notes, teams that were trailing by seven or more points in the final 50 seconds of regulation or overtime in a playoff game are 4-1,702 since 1996. The Pacers have three of those wins in this postseason alone.
We have seen plenty of other insane stats that explain why Clark is calling the Pacers the greatest comeback team she has ever seen. There are people who have been around much longer than Clark who would probably agree.
Charles Barkley has request for Adam Silver
Charles Barkley made a request of Adam Silver while talking on TV Wednesday night.
TNT televised Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. The Pacers pulled off an epic comeback and won despite being down by 14 points with under three minutes to play.
The fervor surrounding the Pacers’ big win led Barkley to speak his message to the NBA commissioner while talking on TNT after the game. Barkley pleaded for Silver to allow Tyrese Haliburton’s father John to attend Games 3 and 4 of the series, which are scheduled to be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow. It’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building,” Barkley said. “Adam, I’m asking you, hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid. But he’s been punished. And I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3 and 4.
“Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough. He would never do anything that stupid again. So, Adam, you know how much I love you … you all let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3.”
John Haliburton was banned from attending the Pacers’ playoff games following a highly publicized incident that took place between him and Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier in the postseason. Haliburton taunted Antetokounmpo after Tyrese made a shot to eliminate the Greek Freak’s Bucks in the first round.
Two days after the confrontation, a report had said that John Haliburton had been asked not to attend the team’s playoff games to avoid being a distraction. Barkley feels that John has served his time and should be allowed back to watch his son play in person. The Pacers and NBA probably could make that happen, so long as Haliburton doesn’t sit courtside, and they keep things quiet.
Chuck asks Commissioner Silver to let Tyrese Haliburton's dad attend games 3 & 4 in Indy 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VmRWOng87V
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 22, 2025
