WWE stars attend NBA playoffs: Triple H steals the spotlight courtside
Image via Getty
The Indiana Pacers' dominant run in the NBA Playoffs saw an unexpected crossover with the world of sports entertainment, as WWE icons Triple H, Nick Khan, and Pat McAfee lit up the sidelines during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers, who now lead the series 3-1 against the New York Knicks, got more than just fanfare – they got 'The Game' himself, complete with his legendary WWE entrance video, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
WWE meets the NBA
While WWE has long flirted with mainstream sports, this appearance was something else. The NBA arena featured Triple H's signature entrance visuals on the jumbotron, typically reserved for the squared circle. Fans in the arena and across social media platforms were stunned – and delighted.
'This man Triple H got a whole entrance at the Pacer game 😂,' one fan wrote on X, while another added, 'Triple H really said 'Time to Play the Game' courtside. The King of Kings knows how to make an entrance ANYWHERE!'
— SenBaijnath (@SenBaijnath)
The crossover wasn't entirely unexpected. WWE had previously joked about 'booking' the Knicks vs. Pacers rivalry after a SmackDown segment last year featured a dramatic face-off between Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now
Tips and Tricks
Undo
WWE is clearly leaning into its influence, and it seems the Pacers have embraced the synergy.
Also present at the game was WWE CEO Nick Khan, alongside McAfee, a proud Pacers supporter and WWE commentator. The trio's presence comes amid a steady ratings climb for WWE SmackDown, which drew 1.38 million viewers on May 23, despite going up against stiff competition from the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Stephanie Vaquer's push reflects WWE's evolving vision
Meanwhile, WWE's NXT brand is making headlines of its own.
Rising star Stephanie Vaquer, who recently lost her NXT Women's Championship in dramatic fashion, is rumored to be heading to the main roster. Reports suggest Vaquer may soon debut on Monday Night RAW, with potential plans involving a major storyline alongside other rising talents.
Vaquer's potential promotion, coupled with WWE's growing footprint in mainstream sports events, highlights a strategic push under Triple H's creative leadership. With WWE now finding ways to blend entertainment and real-world sports seamlessly, moments like this could become the norm.
Whether it's at ringside or courtside, WWE seems to have found its sweet spot - right in the heart of pop culture's biggest stages.
Get
IPL 2025
match
schedules
,
squads
,
points table
, and live scores for
CSK
,
MI
,
RCB
,
KKR
,
SRH
,
LSG
,
DC
,
GT
,
PBKS
, and
RR
. Check the latest
IPL Orange Cap
and
Purple Cap
standings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle using finals platform to bring awareness to food insecurity in Indiana
INDIANOLIS — At the NBA Finals, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is trying to shine a light on what he considers an important cause. Carlisle often has been seen wearing a QR code on his shirt — one that directs interested scanners to a site for his Drive & Dish initiative, something he founded about two years ago to raise money for battling food insecurity across Indiana. So far, the program has raised more than $1 million. Carlisle and the Pacers have also made donations to the charity, which served more than 1,000 households and distributed more than 250,000 pounds of food in in its first year. 'Each year we've been able to help more people,' Carlisle said Friday night before Game 4 of the finals between the Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'People in Indiana should never have to deal with food insecurity. There's plenty of food in Indiana. The challenge is logistics. So, this charity helps with logistics.' The program has partnered with Spokenote, which provides the technology behind the scannable code. The Pacers and Spokenote also collaborated last year on the first scannable code on a jersey in the four U.S. major pro sports leagues. Another partner is the Gleaners food bank, which works with Drive & Dish in providing fresh food, produce, eggs and more to families who need help. Carlisle said when the program started, about 1 million people in the state were considered food insecure — or in other words, unsure where their next meal was coming from. The Pacers plan to help the program grow as needed across the state over the next decade. 'It's been a great effort,' Carlisle said. 'I've got some really great people that are supporting it. I'm very grateful.' NBA: /nba
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NBA Finals: How Oklahoma City Thunder's win vs Indiana Pacers can propel them to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls' level
The NBA Finals Game 4 will be held on Friday, and many records could be broken as the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers currently hold an upper hand in the NBA finals, leading the series 2-1 after the completion of three games. The NBA finals game 4 could see some records broken, especially from the Thunder side. The OKC Thunder are on the verge of becoming the fifth most successful team in a single season in NBA history if they manage to beat the Pacers. They can also set the NBA record for most points in a single season. The Oklahoma City Thunder's win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals was their 81st of the season. They won 68 games during the regular season and have won 13 games in the playoffs so far. The most any team has won in a single season is 88 games, a record set by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. The Thunder won't be able to match that record, nor will it catch Chicago and its 87 wins in 1995-96. But OKC could move into a tie with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls, who featured Michael Jordan, for the third place on the all-time list for most wins in a season. A look at where the Thunder are on the all-time wins list: 88 wins — 2015-16 Golden State Warriors 87 wins — 1995-96 Chicago Bulls 84 wins — 1996-97 Chicago Bulls 83 wins — 2016-17 Golden State Warriors 82 wins — 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers; 1985-86 as well as 2007-08 Boston Celtics, 2012-13 Miami Heat; 1991-92 Chicago Bulls. 81 wins — The current Oklahoma City Thunder; 1971-72 as well as 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers. If the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA finals game 4, they will rise to the fifth spot on the list. If they lift the NBA trophy, the team will finish with 84 wins, tying for third place with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls. Along with that record, the Thunder are likely to set an NBA record for total points scored in a season during Friday's NBA Finals Game 4. So far, including regular-season and postseason games, the Thunder have scored 12,094 points. That's the third-most all-time behind Golden State (12,161 in 2018-19) and theLos Angeles Lakers (12,096 in 1984-85). OKC needs only 68 points on Friday to pass the Warriors.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'F**k that' — Draymond Green tells Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to block out NBA Finals noise
(Image Source - Getty Images) When the heat is on during the biggest moments, some players freeze up. But not Draymond Green. After Game 3, where the Indiana Pacers unexpectedly led 2–1, the four-time NBA champ had a straightforward message for Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander — 'F**k that. Shoot it 35 times.' Green's message? Don't pay attention to the critics analyzing his shot count or foul calls – this is the time to step up, take charge, and guide Oklahoma City back into the series. Draymond Green insists MVP-level aggression is what will define the Finals After losing 116-107 in Game 3 and finding themselves behind 2-1 in the series against the Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a rough outing, scoring merely 24 points and attempting just three shots in the fourth quarter, making only one. Green shared a candid take on his podcast with Baron Davis and Metta World Peace. — "When I watched that game tonight, I never felt like Shai said, 'I'm taking over this game. I'mma win this game. ''. The experienced power forward emphasized that SGA shouldn't allow media talk about "shooting too much" or "foul-baiting" to influence his game plan. 'Don't fall into the trap of what the world is saying… F**k that. Yeah, shoot it 35 times. You gotta go for it!' Green shouted, pushing Shai to get back that confidence he had in his earlier games, especially the 34 points and 8 assists he scored in just 36 minutes during Game 2. Draymond & Metta tell Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 'SHOOT 35 TIMES' in Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals In his postgame talk, Gilgeous-Alexander admitted the team had its issues, noting how Indiana's physical play and strong pick-and-roll game messed with OKC's rhythm. He only scored 3 points in the fourth quarter, despite coming in with a mindset to keep the game close. Still, Green was there to remind him of his MVP credentials—leading the league with 32.7 PPG in 2024–25, outpacing big names like Curry and Giannis, and highlighting why the Thunder need him to step up as a leader. The Thunder, coming off a franchise-best 68-win season and breaking their previous single-season record of 61 wins, are turning to their star once more. Shai has already scored 38 points in Game 1 and 34 in Game 2 of the Finals, establishing a Finals debut record of 72 points in his first two games. Now, with everything at stake, Green's message is straightforward: take on the responsibility, prove the naysayers wrong, and unleash that MVP-level performance. As the series tilts towards the Pacers, the Thunder are counting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to get back to his bold and fearless style of play. Draymond Green's no-nonsense advice to tune out the media, take your chances, and seize control resonates throughout Oklahoma City. Also Read: 'Your Spit Should Taste Different' — Tyrese Haliburton jokes as he describes the intensity of playing in the NBA finals If SGA can lead with confidence and intensity, OKC still has a genuine chance at clinching their first Finals title. Now's the moment to rise to the occasion, ignore the distractions, and let the MVP shine like an MVP should.
