ESPN host Pat McAfee had Indiana Pacers fans screaming during Sunday’s 121-89 win against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The former NFL punter turned sportscaster headed to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to watch Indy tie the second round of the NBA playoffs in Game 4.
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And McAfee, 37, made sure the Pacers faithful didn’t stop rooting for the Indiana stars, even as they held a 38-point lead late in the third quarter.
The ESPN sportscaster, who wore Tyrese Haliburton’s No. 0 jersey, appeared alongside the team’s emcee before the start of the fourth quarter.
After a brief introduction, he took the microphone and addressed the fans in the stands.
“Indianapolis, Indiana. We’re up 38 points in the fourth quarter,” McAfee shouted.
“Are we going to turn it off? Or are we going to escalate this shit?
“Let’s blow the roof off this place! Let’s go!”
Gainbridge Fieldhouse only got louder after McAfee’s speech — and his cameo didn’t go unnoticed on NBA Twitter.
“Pat McAfee is a legend,” one posted on X.
“Pat McAfee pumping up the crowd is fire,” wrote another.
“Pat McAfee gets on the mic and the crowd goes crazy,” said a third.
“The crowd noise doubles. Goat.”
After the game, McAfee got involved with Haliburton, 24, who recorded 31 points, six rebounds and five assists against the Knicks on Sunday.
The ESPN presenter then thanked the Pacers star for the seats on the court that he and his wife, Samantha, occupied during the match.
Earlier this week, the retired NFL star showed he was paying attention to the Indiana playoffs.
NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
First round
Boston Celtics (1) 4-1 Miami Heat (8)
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) 4-3 Orlando Magic (5)
Milwaukee Bucks (3) 2-4 Indiana Pacers (6)
New York Knicks (2) 4-2 Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Boston Celtics (1) x Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
Indiana Pacers (6) x New York Knicks (2)
McAfee addressed the controversy over officiating in the conference semifinal series on Friday’s edition of his show.
“The Pacers and Knicks play in Indiana, our city, the referees might feel a little different,” he said before Game 3.
“Carlisle is trying to rally the boys, he’s also trying to send a message to the league, the league that only gave him a $35,000 fine, which is incredible.
“There’s certainly a chance he could criticize the referees for screwing a small-market team, which would potentially lead to the integrity of the game being questioned.”
The Pacers crushed the Knicks so badly in Game 4 that New York fans begged coach Tom Thibodeau to rest Jalen Brunson in the third quarter.
Brunson injured his foot early in the series, adding to the team’s growing injury concerns.
The Knicks are already playing without Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson this postseason.
Meanwhile, forward OG Anunoby has missed two consecutive games with a hamstring strain.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
