Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton recently admitted he turned off the television as the New York Knicks celebrated winning the 2026 NBA Championship. Haliburton, who missed the entire 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury, called it a break from his usual tradition of watching the emotional Finals celebrations. The Knicks' title run was powered by a dominant Eastern Conference playoff performance, including a 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 26, 2026.
Appearing on a recent episode of Boardroom Talks, Haliburton was candid about his reaction. "The Knicks are they like our rival? Yes. But are those guys- I like those guys and like their friends? Yeah," Haliburton said. He explained his typical habit of watching the championship celebrations, calling it a "special" and emotional event. But this time was different. "I'm always like man that's fire, but when the Knicks won I thought to myself, I got to turn this s___ off." His comments highlight the genuine competitive fire defining the modern Pacers-Knicks rivalry.
The context makes Haliburton's feelings understandable. The Pacers, with Haliburton leading them, made a deep playoff run in 2025, falling just short of the Finals. His injury the following season created a vacuum the Knicks expertly filled. Their recent form shows four consecutive wins, with the last result a commanding 130-93 victory on May 26. That consistency propelled them past San Antonio for the franchise's first title in decades.
New York enters the offseason as defending champions, with their core likely intact. The team's impressive 4-0-1 recent form, marked by wins of 121-108 and 115-104 over Cleveland, demonstrates their peak performance level. For the Pacers, getting a healthy Haliburton back is their top priority. His return instantly re-ignites one of the East's most compelling storylines. Fans can expect the intensity to pick right up when these teams next meet. The Knicks' championship has set a new standard, and the Pacers' star has made it clear he's already motivated to answer back.
