Following the Indiana Pacers’ stunning victory over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, seized the moment to take a playful yet pointed jab at the Knicks. The Pacers, making their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades, delivered a historic comeback that sealed their place in the tournament. Jones, known for her sassy presence on social media, turned the tables on fans of the Knicks, who had just been swept in a surprising series upset.
Jones began her trolling with a post that playfully echoed the Knicks’ iconic ‘Go New York’ rallying cry, but with a twist. She captioned a post with the line, ‘Go NY go NY go… Home!!!’ along with a series of photos that included her and Haliburton, an AI-generated image of the Statue of Liberty in a Pacers jersey, and a shot of Halibur,ton’s infamous choke signal after Game 1. Her post quickly gained traction, showcasing the lighthearted yet cheeky nature of the Pacers’ celebrations.
Haliburton himself joined in the mockery with a symbolic act of mourning. He and his teammates entered Gainbridge Fieldhouse in all black, carrying a black duffel bag, which fans interpreted as a tribute to the Knicks’ elimination. The gesture provoked a response from Knicks superfan Ben Stiller, who quipped, ‘Good thing he brought his duffel for the flight to NY.’ Haliburton’s reply was equally sassy: ‘Nah, was to pack y’all up.’ The playful banter underscored the rivalry between the teams and the humor of the situation, even as the competition remained fierce.
The Pacers’ triumph over the Knicks was the culmination of a grueling playoff run that included victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had dominated the regular season with a 68-14 record and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, await the Pacers in the NBA Finals. Despite the Thunder’s regular-season dominance, the Pacers’ underdog story and gritty performances have made them a formidable opponent in the finals.
As the anticipation for the Finals builds, the focus remains on the matchup between the Thunder and the Pacers. The Knights’ loss has left fans of the Knicks in disbelief, yet the humor and banter from both sides of the rivalry have become a highlight of the season’s end. The event has underscored the playful, yet competitive nature of NBA playoffs, where even the most intense rivalries can have a light-hearted side that resonates with fans.