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Tyrese Haliburton was one of the heroes of the Indiana Pacers’ recent NBA Playoff win over the New York Knicks. The guard hit the game-tying shot in regulation to complete a late comeback. He trolled after the fact.
His pettiness continued up through the final play of the game. He further dug the knife as the buzzer sounded in the 138-135 victory.
The celebration was certainly warranted. Indiana pulled off one of the most unexpected comebacks in NBA history. The team rallied from down nine points in the final minute to force overtime and later win the game. Haliburton sank a long two at the end of regulation to force the extra session.
@nba The double bounce is crazyyyy 😂 ‼️ #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #Basketball #IndianaPacers #TyreseHaliburton ♬ original sound – NBA
According to the Indiana Pacers, teams that had trailed by 14 points or more in the final 2:50 of regulation were a combined 0-970 entering the contest. Indy picked up the first win.
Its star player nearly made himself a meme prior to that final outcome. He initially thought he ended the game on that miraculous shot.
Tyrese Haliburton celebrated too early.
He was seen emulating Reggie Miller’s famed chokehold taunt, which was debuted during a previous Pacers comeback against the Knicks. There was only one problem- the game wasn’t over!
Indiana trailed 125-123 at the time of the shot. Haliburton thought he was able to step behind the three-point line before launching the prayer into the air. He didn’t.
The guard’s foot was on the line. It was a two-point shot. He did not hit a game-winner. He only forced overtime.
Luckily, it didn’t come back to bite. The Pacers handled business in the extra session to win by a bucket. Haliburton trolled the Knicks up through the final buzzer.
With 0.2 seconds left on the clock, Indiana just needed to inbound to close out the win. Rather than toss a pass to a teammate, Tyrese Haliburton gave the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns.
@bleacherreport Imagine if he made that 😂 #nba #pacers #knicks ♬ original sound – bleacherreport
KAT heaved a half-court shot that fell unsuccessfully to the floor. Even if it had gone in, it may or may not have counted.
Haliburton knew the three-point score. He was also aware of the unlikelihood that Karl-Anthony Towns could both get the shot off in time and make it from his position on the floor.
It was a purposeful act to give his opponent one last feeling of false hope. Reggie Miller, who called the game, could be heard in the background loving every minute.
After the win, Haliburton was heard celebrating as he made his way back to the locker room. He’s quickly become Enemy No. 1 in the Big Apple.
@bleacherreport Hali trolling after taking Game 1 🤣 (Via @Pacers) #nba #nbabasketball #basketball ♬ original sound – bleacherreport
The Pacers stole Game 1 in The Garden to grab an early series lead. Haliburton and his teammates enjoyed the moment. The Knicks will look to get even in Game 2 on Friday.