What Went Down
Picture this: Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals, May 21, 2025. Madison Square Garden is LOUD, Knicks are up by 14, and it’s looking like New York’s got this in the bag. But hold up—the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith’s flamethrower three-point shooting, ain’t going down easy. With like 7 seconds left, score’s 125-123 Knicks, and Haliburton grabs the rock, bolts down the court, shakes Mitchell Robinson, and chucks a fadeaway jumper. Ball kisses the rim, pops up, and—BOOM—drops as the buzzer screams. Pacers tie it up, and the Garden goes dead silent.
Tyrese, thinking he just hit a game-winner, sprints to the sideline where Pacers legend Reggie Miller’s calling the game for TNT. And then, in the most savage move of the night, he throws up the choke sign—both hands to the neck, straight-up taunting the Knicks and their fans. Turns out, his toe was on the line, so it was a two-pointer, not a three, but who cares? The Pacers pulled out a 138-135 dub in OT, snatching Game 1. That choke gesture? Instant classic.
Reggie Miller Vibes
If you’re a Pacers fan, you know this wasn’t just some random flex. Haliburton was channeling the OG, Reggie Miller, who hit the Knicks with the same choke sign back in ‘94. That was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Reggie went nuclear for 25 points in the fourth to steal a W. He aimed that choke at Spike Lee, the Knicks’ biggest cheerleader, and it became the stuff of legend. Haliburton, who’s basically a basketball history nerd, said he’s watched the “Winning Time” doc on that series like a million times. He even rocks a choke-pose sweatshirt from the Pacers’ 2024 Game 7 win over the Knicks. Dude’s been dreaming of this moment.
Unlike Reggie’s personal beef with Spike, Tyrese said his choke was for the whole Knicks fanbase. “I wanted Reggie to see it,” he told TNT’s Allie LaForce. I mean, how cool is it that Reggie was right there in the building? It’s like the basketball gods planned this.
The Internet Went WILD
Man, the second Haliburton did that choke, X blew up. Fans were losing it, calling it “pure aura” and “a vibe straight outta Indiana.” One dude on X posted, “This is cinema, fam!” But not everyone was feeling it. Some Knicks fans were salty, pointing out the shot was a two, not a three, and called it “fake tough guy stuff.” A Reddit thread got like 14K upvotes with people arguing if it was iconic or just Tyrese fishing for clout. Haters gonna hate, right?
Tyrese owned up to the mix-up, saying, “If I knew it was a two, I wouldn’t have done it. Might’ve wasted my one choke.” Gotta respect the honesty! Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had his back, basically saying, “Let the kid cook, it’s the playoffs!” Meanwhile, New York papers were in their feelings—New York Post hit with “Choke 2.0,” and Newsday was like, “Choke’s on Knicks.” Some Pacers fan even got a tattoo of Tyrese in the choke pose with “What the Haliburton” written on it. That’s next-level love.
Haliburton’s Clutch Factor
Let’s be real—Tyrese is built for these moments. Dude’s been dropping daggers all playoffs, from the Bucks to the Cavs to the Thunder in the Finals. That Game 1 shot was wild—first time ever a team came back from nine down in the last minute of a playoff game. He finished with 31 points and 11 dimes in 42 minutes, just straight-up balling. Myles Turner called the Pacers “battle-tested,” and you can see why. Tyrese is the engine, making plays and hitting shots when it counts.
Some folks on X, like @Khanman23, say he needs to be more aggressive sometimes, and yeah, he’s not dropping 40 every night. But when the game’s on the line? Tyrese is THAT guy.
Why It Hit Different
This wasn’t just a flex—it was a love letter to Pacers history and a middle finger to the Knicks rivalry. Caitlin Clark, Tyrese’s homie from the WNBA, was hyping him up online. Even Draymond Green was like, “Don’t fine him, this is what fans want!” on his pod. But it wasn’t all good vibes—some Knicks fans got heated, and there was even a story about a Pacers fan in a Haliburton jersey getting hassled in NYC. That’s how deep this rivalry runs.
The choke sign’s already a meme, a highlight reel staple, and probably gonna be on T-shirts by next week. Knicks fans keep reminding everyone that Reggie’s ‘94 choke didn’t win the series, but Tyrese’s Pacers are looking like they might have more in the tank.
Final Thoughts
Look, Tyrese Haliburton’s choke move was pure, unfiltered basketball magic. Was it a little premature? Sure. But that’s what makes it so real—dude was caught up in the moment, feeling himself, and gave us a highlight we’ll be talking about for years. He brought back Reggie’s spirit, lit up the Knicks-Pacers beef, and showed he’s got ice in his veins. Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t look away. Tyrese, keep doing you, man—Indiana’s got your back.
Comments
Post a Comment