INDIANA Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s on-court antics have drawn mixed reactions from NBA fans.
The two-time NBA All-Star led the Pacers in assists on Friday as they tied the Eastern Conference semifinals series with the New York Knicks 3-3 thanks to a 116-103 win.
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In 32 minutes, Haliburton, 24, had 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
However, a clip of Haliburton circulated on social media during the game after he was caught mocking Knicks star Miles McBride following a two-point basket.
During the third period, and with the Pacers leading, Haliburton scored off McBride’s head to extend the lead to 79-65.
ESPN cameras later spotted Haliburton approaching McBride, gesturing with his fingers that he was, as the network expressed in a tweet“Small.”
This drew a variety of responses from fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Speaking badly about a player on the bench… guys are cowards,” wrote one fan.
“He only talks when his team wins. They lose 6 points and that’s what you’re supporting.”
A second predicted: “That’s tough coming from someone who’s going to get smoked in Game 7.”
As another labeled the star, “HaliburHIM.”
While a fourth said: “Let him cook.”
Looking ahead to Game 7, Haliburton told the media he was “excited about the opportunity.”
“Where better to have a Game 7 than [Madison Square Garden]?
“So I’m really excited about that. Our groups are excited about the opportunity to compete.
“We haven’t won a game there yet, no team has won away from home in this series, so we have to be ready to play from start to finish for 48 minutes.”
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Game 7 will begin at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday at the Garden.
Fans will be able to watch from home on ABC, with Mike Breen, Doris Burke and JJ Redick calling the shots, joined by Cassidy Hubbarth on the sidelines.
As mentioned by Haliburton, the Garden has not been kind to the Pacers so far in this series.
They lost the series opener 121-117 on May 6, followed by a 130-121 loss in Game 2 two days later.
NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
First round
Boston Celts (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 Celts (1) 4-1 Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
Indiana Pacers (6) 2-3 New York Knicks (2)
After the Pacers tied the series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the next two games, they returned to New York to lose 121–91 on May 14.
The winners of the series will face the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
