logo
Caitlin Clark hit the Pacers' choking celebration at NBA Finals Game 3

Caitlin Clark hit the Pacers' choking celebration at NBA Finals Game 3

USA Todaya day ago

The choke celebration has become an immortal element of Indiana Pacers lore since 1994, when Reggie Miller dropped it on the New York Knicks.
It's been revitalized in 2025 thanks to Tyrese Haliburton, who did his best impression of Miller after a buzzer-beater shot in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks that sent the game to overtime, with the Pacers ultimately winning the contest and the series.
Haliburton has brought the choke celebration back for a new generation of basketball fans, and during Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Indianapolis on Wednesday night, WNBA star Caitlin Clark hit the choke celebration against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Clark and Haliburton are good friends, and the former first overall pick with the Indiana Fever was in the building to cheer on the Pacers as they seek the first NBA title in franchise history.
With Clark now mimicking Haliburton's imitation of Miller, it's safe to say that basketball in the city of Indianapolis is so back.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox
NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox

The Sacramento Kings helped turn the Indiana Pacers into a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference, all stemming from the blockbuster Tyrese Haliburton trade. Now, new information has emerged o why Sacramento traded Haliburton instead of De'Aaron Fox. According to Jon Krawczynski and James Edwards III of The Athletic, the Kings did explore trading Fox in 2022 before moving Haliburton to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. However, negotiations with Indiana quickly made it clear there was zero interest in Fox. Advertisement Related: Insider addresses the likelihood of Sacramento Kings rebuilding this summer Tyrese Haliburton stats (Sacramento Kings): 13.6 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 46.5% FG, 41.1% 3PT, .102 Win Shares per 48 Minutes in 109 games played As noted by Krawczynski and Edwards III, Sacramento first offered Indiana a deal for Sabonis centered around Fox. The Pacers' front office immediately made it clear that 'the only real avenue' toward a deal would require Haliburton to be the centerpiece of the trade. At the time of the deal, Fox was averaging just 21 points and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 24.8 percent from the perimeter and struggling to live up to his $160 million contract. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wanted a point guard who could 'push the pace' and be a high-end facilitator, Fox didn't provide that. Related: 2025 NBA Draft order, Sacramento Kings draft picks 2025 Tyrese Haliburton stats (Indiana Pacers): 19.5 PPG, 10.1 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 48.2% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 1.93 Win Shares per 48 Minutes in 224 games played Advertisement While the Kings' front office was hammered by NBA analysts and executives for trading Haliburton, the early returns were relatively positive. Fox earned his first All-Star selection and won Comeback Player of the Year during the 2022-'23 season and Sabonis helped the franchise snap one of the longest playoff droughts in NBA history. It spiraled after that. Fox requested a trade in January, limiting the team's options by making it clear he only wanted to be dealt to the San Antonio Spurs. Sacramento's long-standing infatuation with Zach LaVine led to him being the centerpiece of the deal. With LaVine providing just a minor push over a disgruntled Fox, the Kings made it into the NBA Play-In Tournament and forfeited their top-12 protected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks. Now, the general manager behind both trades is gone with Fox and Haliburton clearly in better situations for success than they would've had in Sacramento. As the Pacers and Spurs move forward as perennial contenders, the Kings seem to be headed toward another long-term rebuild. Related Headlines

Top 5 Young Cores in the NBA Right Now, Including the Detroit Pistons
Top 5 Young Cores in the NBA Right Now, Including the Detroit Pistons

Yahoo

time29 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Top 5 Young Cores in the NBA Right Now, Including the Detroit Pistons

These five NBA teams have built foundations that could put them in title contention for years to come. Here's a look at the 5 most exciting and promising young cores set up to dominate the future of the NBA. Honorable Mention: Indiana Pacers Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Tyrese Haliburton (25), Andrew Nembhard (25), Aaron Nesmith (25) Advertisement Given the Pacers' impressive run to this year's NBA Finals, they had to be mentioned. With their superstar in Tyrese Haliburton being only 25 years old, this team has an immensely bright future. With a young core as a supporting cast, we likely haven't seen the Pacers' best basketball yet. But with significant contributions from NBA vets Pascal Siakam (31) and Myles Turner (29), the Pacers fall just outside the list. Also Read: NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox 5. Orlando Magic Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Paolo Banchero (22), Franz Wagner (23), Anthony Black (22) Advertisement With back-to-back playoff appearances, the Magic are set up for future success. Led by a future All-NBA talent in Paolo Banchero, the Magic have a talented surrounding young core that will only get better with time. The upcoming season will be a huge test for the Magic as they will look to advance further than the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season. 4. Detroit Pistons Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Cade Cunningham (23), Jalen Duren (21), Ausar Thompson (22), Jaden Ivy (23), After a league-worst 14-68 record last year, Pistons star Cade Cunningham led the team to the 6-seed in the Eastern Conference and gave the New York Knicks a great battle in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With four legitimate foundational players in Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Jaden Ivy all being 23 or younger, this roster has the potential to be scary good. The future is bright in Detroit. 3. Houston Rockets Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Jalen Green (23), Amen Thompson (22), Alperen Şengün (22), Jabari Smith Jr. (22) Advertisement Despite a disappointing playoff showing, the Houston Rockets finished as the 2 seed in the tight Western Conference race. This team is a deep, athletic scoring threat that has immense young talent on the defensive side of the ball as well. Şengün has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokić, proving that the upside for him and this team could be at a championship level. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back after being upset in the first round of the playoffs by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. 2. San Antonio Spurs Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Victor Wembanyama (21), Stephon Castle (20), Devin Vassell (24), De'Aaron Fox (27) Advertisement The Spurs are nearly number one on the list based on Victor Wembanyama alone. He is a generational talent with future MVP upside. As he develops, there is no limit to the ceiling of this team's success. The Spurs also have this year's Rookie of the Year in Stephon Castle. With back-to-back Rookie of the Year's in San Antonio, a strong supporting young cast, and this year's number 2 pick in the NBA draft, the Spurs' future will be exciting to watch. Related: Philadelphia 76ers rumors suggest big move coming in 2025 NBA Draft 1. Oklahoma City Thunder Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Notable young talent: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26), Jalen Williams (24), Chet Holmgren (23), Cason Wallace (21) Advertisement The heavy favorites to win this year's NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, are arguably the most talented team in the league, regardless of age. With SGA winning the MVP at only 26 years old, and Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren being 24 and 23 years old, respectively, the Thunder have a legit big three that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not to mention, they have one of the deepest benches in the league. And are tied for the youngest average player age in the league at 24 years old. The Thunder will be a premier championship contender for years to come. Also Read: 50 Best NBA players right now: Where do Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton land? Related Headlines

Stephen A. Smith blasts ‘ignorant' Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton for latest media criticisms
Stephen A. Smith blasts ‘ignorant' Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton for latest media criticisms

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Stephen A. Smith blasts ‘ignorant' Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton for latest media criticisms

The post Stephen A. Smith blasts 'ignorant' Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton for latest media criticisms appeared first on ClutchPoints. After Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton called out the 'talking heads' of the media, saying he doesn't care about the narrative surrounding him, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith responded. With the Pacers having won Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Smith would take issue with Haliburton's point on the media. Advertisement As Haliburton would question 'what do they really know about basketball' in regards to the media, Smith would call the statement 'ignorant' and pointed to the former players who work in the field. 'That's a very ignorant statement on his part,' Smith said. 'You know, it is. Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaq, y'all you others, Kendrick Perkins, I'm just saying. So what do you mean? That's the media. That's who you're talking about. Now you're talking about me. I'm the guy that wanted him drafted by the New York Knicks. I'm the guy that said that the players were wrong to label him overrated. Did you remember that? So I give him credit. He was smart enough not to mention my name because he was assuming, because had he mentioned me, I'd go in deeper. But I won't.' Stephen A. Smith sends warning to Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Even LeBron James has called out the media aside from the Pacers star amid the NBA Finals, but Smith isn't agreeing with the current players. He would say that Haliburton needs to focus more on winning a championship and would send a warning if the point guard was subtly mentioning Smith in his comments. Advertisement 'What I will say to you is this, in the end, it just amazes me how cats can be sometimes. Win the damn chip, bro. In the first two games of this NBA final series, you had your moment with 1.3 seconds left. Other than that, you didn't play well,' Smith continued. 'That ain't on me. That's on you, you know. And, oh, by the way, just in case he was talking about me, my brother, I'm not going away. I'm gonna be here for a while. So next year, and the year after that…I'm going to be here, and players far more accomplished and far more superior have made their efforts trying to call me out. How has that worked out?' At any rate, Haliburton will look to lead Indiana to a 3-1 series lead with Game 4 happening on Thursday night. Related: Tyrese Haliburton shouts out 'Great White Hope' after historic Game 3 Related: LeBron James calls out media who can't sell NBA Finals

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store