Tyrese Haliburton claps back at Ben Stiller after sending Knicks packing from playoffs
The actor and die-hard Knicks fan joked before Game 6 that Tyrese Haliburton 'brought his duffel for the flight to NY' after seeing footage of the Pacers point guard dressed in all black.
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After the Pacers eliminated the Knicks with a 125-108 win, Haliburton clapped back.
'Nah, was to pack y'all up,' Haliburton posted on X in response to Stiller.
Indeed, it was likely a long night for Stiller, who was a regular at Knicks playoff games throughout the team's run, though he did not appear to make the trip for Game 6 after doing so for Game 4.
Haliburton's clapback was well-earned. He outplayed counterpart Jalen Brunson in Saturday's Game 6, putting up 21 points with 13 assists, much of it coming in the second half when the Pacers broke the game open.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates during the team's Game 6 Eastern Conference finals win over the Knicks on May 31, 2025. Getty Images
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) greets Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) after Indiana's Game 6 win to clinch the Eastern Conference finals on May 31, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Brunson, meanwhile, was locked up by Andrew Nembhard after a masterful adjustment by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. The Knicks' leading man scored 19 but was 8-for-18 from the field and never got going with the season on the line.
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After Haliburton beat out Brunson for a spot on the Olympic team last year, he justified that controversial decision in this series.
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Haliburton, who flashed the choke sign after the Knicks blew Game 1 of the series, became a villain at Madison Square Garden this series as a result — a status only enhanced now by taking on one of the Garden's most recognizable celebrities.
The Pacers will face the Thunder in the NBA Finals, the first time Indiana has played for a championship since 2000, when it lost to the Lakers.
Ben Stiller (r.) with Timothée Chalamet (l.) and Kylie Jenner (r.) during Knicks-Pacers Game 5 on May 29, 2025. Getty Images
The Pacers have never won an NBA title. The Thunder technically won in 1979 when they were the Seattle Supersonics, but haven't done so since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Game 1 is Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City and will air on ABC.
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