When the Indiana Pacers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, fans witnessed not only on-court drama but a viral moment in the stands. Jade Jones – the girlfriend of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton – made headlines with a fiery moment during the game at Paycom Center.
Jones, a former Iowa State cheerleader turned social media personality, drew the attention of cameras in a navy crop top and matching tennis skirt. But that wasn’t the only reason she turned heads on Sunday night.
Early in the broadcast, the camera panned to her animated reaction as she appeared to argue passionately with a nearby Thunder fan.
That clip quickly spread across social platforms, turning her into an inadvertent star off the hardwood.
Social media reacts to Jade’s moment of passion
Reactions to Jones’s moment were swift and enthusiastic. The Athletic’s James Boyd captured the tone well on X (formerly Twitter):
“LOL!! The broadcast just cut to a shot of Ty’s girlfriend, Jade, in the crowd talking CRAZY to somebody. I respect the passion.”
Another fan playfully reminded her of the team’s deficit: “Someone remind Haliburton’s girlfriend that they are still down by 14.” A third admirer summed it up simply: “Now that’s love.”
Amid the roar of digital reactions, Jones remained the picture of intensity on camera – letting her emotions fly as she stood up for her team. The clip showed a different kind of playoff fervor, one that transcended the court.
Haliburton reflects on Pacers loss
Though Game 2 didn’t end as the Pacers hoped, the on-court action remained the primary story.
After a shaky first half with 19 turnovers, Indiana clawed its way back from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit. Tyrese Haliburton delivered a thrilling game-winner in Game 1, and afterward, he emphasized the character of his team: “This group is a resilient group. And we don’t give up until it’s 0.0 on the clock.”
However, Game 2 swung sharply in Oklahoma City’s favor. The Thunder led by 17 points with just four minutes left, prompting the Pacers bench to lift Haliburton early. He still managed to finish with a respectable 17 points, alongside six assists and three rebounds, but the deficit proved too much to overcome.
And so the spotlight shifted to Jones, whose live fervor contrasted sharply with the contest’s intensity. Though the cause of her animated tirade remains unconfirmed, her voice and gestures left little doubt about where her loyalties lie.
As the series heads to Indianapolis, fans will remember the game for both the on-court action and the off-court moment that captured the internet’s attention. In a year of high-stakes basketball, Jones’s passionate outburst stands as a reminder that fan emotion – especially from a player’s partner – can resonate just as strongly as a buzzer-beater.
Despite the Pacers trailing, Jones’s presence was a vivid testament to loyalty and emotion in sports. And as Haliburton and Indiana prepare for the next battle, one element is certain: both on the court and in the stands, the passion will be front and center.
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