The Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years with a stunning Game 6 victory over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. This triumph echoes their last Finals run 25 years ago when they also eliminated the Knicks in a thrilling Game 6 to advance to the championship. However, in 2000, their dreams were dashed by the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, led by MVP Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal delivered one of the most legendary Finals performances ever, averaging 38.0 points and 16.7 rebounds per game, and the Lakers clinched the title in six games. History seems to be repeating itself, as the Pacers are once again entering the Finals as underdogs. This time, they will square off against the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and their own MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Savage Reply to Knicks Fan Ben Stiller
Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Pacers have flourished under the leadership of Tyrese Haliburton, a dynamic point guard who’s no stranger to being underestimated. In fact, Haliburton was voted the league’s most overrated player by his peers earlier this season-a label he’s used to fuel Indiana’s remarkable postseason run. The Pacers’ Game 6 victory not only secured their spot in the Finals, but also sparked a memorable off-court moment between Haliburton and diehard Knicks fan Ben Stiller.
Throughout the playoffs, Madison Square Garden was a celebrity hotspot, with stars like Timothée Chalamet, Bad Bunny and Stiller showing up to cheer on New York. Stiller was a particular fixture, even traveling to Boston and Indiana to support the Knicks on the road. His passion led to a playful rivalry with Pacers fan and former NFL punter Pat McAfee, who fired up the Indiana crowd during Game 4. Stiller later mocked McAfee online, calling him “weird” and inviting him to New York for Game 5, which the Knicks won.
However, it was Stiller’s pre-Game 6 jab at Haliburton that stole the spotlight. After seeing a video of Haliburton arriving at the arena in all black with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, Stiller tweeted, “Good thing he brought his duffel for the flight back to NY.” Haliburton, who scored 21 points to seal the Knicks’ fate, wasn’t about to let it slide. After the game, he hit back with a brutal zinger: “Nah, it was to pack y’all up.” The comeback lit up social media, capping off a series in which Stiller’s courtside antics couldn’t save his beloved Knicks from elimination.
Finals Preview: Pacers Face a Thunderous Challenge
Looking ahead, the Pacers are gearing up for a thrilling NBA Finals showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder will enjoy home-court advantage. Game 1 is on Thursday, June 5, and a potential Game 7 is on Sunday, June 22. This series promises to be exciting-both teams love to push the pace, force mistakes, and rack up points in transition. Don’t let their small-market roots fool you. Since January 1, the Thunder (53-13) and the Pacers (46-18) have posted the NBA’s top two records, proving that they have been the league’s elite for months.
The key for Indiana? Slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP, who has been a nightmare for the Pacers this season. In their two regular-season matchups, OKC won by 6 and 21 points, with SGA scoring 45 and 33 points against Indiana. His scoring prowess makes him a tough matchup, but the Pacers have made a habit of defying expectations. If they can contain him and Haliburton continues to play like a man on a mission, they might just pull off the upset and bring a title to Indianapolis for the first time.
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