Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers delivered a humorous retort to actor Ben Stiller’s trash talk following the Pacers’ Game 6 victory over the New York Knicks, sealing their place in the NBA Finals. The game, which ended with a 125-108 score, marked the Pacers’ first appearance in the finals since 2000, when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. Haliburton, who led the team with 21 points, 13 assists, and three steals, was joined by his teammates in wearing all-black attire, symbolizing the ‘funeral’ for the Knicks. Stiller had previously mocked the team, suggesting Haliburton needed the duffel bag for a flight to New York, a line Haliburton responded to with a clever quip: “Nah, was to pack y’all up.”
The Pacers, under the guidance of coach Rick Carlisle, face a significant challenge ahead as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the best team in the NBA this season. The Thunder, who defeated the Pacers in both regular-season matchups, are considered strong favorites, with the odds heavily in their favor. Carlisle emphasized the importance of staying focused, stating that the team must treat the Finals as an ‘all or nothing’ scenario. This marks a historic moment for the Pacers, who had previously won three American Basketball Association titles before the league merger in 1976. As the Pacers gear up for the NBA Finals, the team and its fans are hopeful that this long-awaited return will culminate in a championship after decades of near misses.