Tyrese Haliburton buries Knicks, trolls Ben Stiller, and sends Pacers to first NBA Finals in 25 years

First off, congrats to the Pacers for an incredible run and their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000. That’s what sports are about. You come back after getting swept last year, go through a gauntlet this postseason, and now you’re four wins from a championship. And make no mistake, this team absolutely earned it.

Indiana beat the Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, closing out the series behind another balanced effort.

Seven players scored in double figures, with Pascal Siakam dropping 31 points and Tyrese Haliburton putting up 21 points and 13 assists. Siakam made a little franchise history too, becoming the first Pacer ever to post 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a series-clinching game.

The Pacers also attacked New York exactly where they were weakest. They outscored the Knicks 41-10 in transition and 34-13 off turnovers. Just a total dismantling.

And here’s what’s getting overlooked: since January 1, the Pacers have the second-best record in the entire NBA, including playoffs. OKC is first. Indiana is second. That’s not a small sample anymore. The Pacers didn’t backdoor their way to the Finals. They’re legit, and it’s time everyone starts acknowledging that.

Of course, Tyrese Haliburton was at the center of it all. He’s been sensational this entire run, and Game 6 was another clinic. In the fourth quarter alone, Haliburton went for 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, shot 5-of-6, and was +10. He hit a string of floaters that completely slammed the door on any chance of a Knicks comeback. That’s exactly what you want from your franchise player when a Finals trip is on the line.

And because Haliburton is becoming one of the best trolls in the league, he wasn’t done after the final buzzer. He took a clean postgame shot at Knicks superfan Ben Stiller, who had been chirping earlier in the series. If you’re gonna talk, you better back it up — and Haliburton did just that.

Ben Stiller takes a shot at Tyrese Haliburton

Good thing he brought his duffel for the flight to NY. https://t.co/0vHKAEPHhI

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 31, 2025

Tyrese Haliburton delivers the final blow to the Knicks and Ben Stiller

Nah, was to pack y’all up https://t.co/hhgo9fp8ib

— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 1, 2025

Caitlin Clark steals the spotlight courtside as Pacers clinch first NBA Finals berth since 2000

Naturally, Knicks fans are big mad about it today, calling Haliburton corny or whatever helps them cope. But let’s be real: if you win, you can talk. That’s sports. And if you lose, you have to take it.

And credit to Haliburton — he opened himself up to plenty of potential heat earlier in the series. The choke sign in Game 1? That could’ve haunted him if they lost. Showing up in all black for Game 6? Another potential meme if things went sideways. But he backed it all up. He closed out Game 1. He closed out Game 6. That’s what it’s all about.

Now, looking ahead to the Finals, my advice to Haliburton would be this: probably don’t poke the Thunder bear. OKC is not the Knicks.

This isn’t the series where you want to add extra motivation for a team that’s been the best in the league for months. Just play your game, take care of the basketball, make your open looks, and don’t let the whistles get in your head.

But after watching what Indiana has done since January, and watching Haliburton absolutely bury the Knicks, I’m done doubting this team. They’ve earned every bit of this run, and they’ve earned their shot at the Thunder.

Game 1 of the Finals tips Thursday night. Can’t wait to see what Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers do next.

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