Tyrese Haliburton watched the New York Knicks hoist the 2026 NBA Finals trophy, and the dude was an emotional wreck. He said it was a “weird feeling,” where he “felt every emotion” imaginable. Angry, happy, sad, you name it, he felt it. This coming from a guy who couldn’t be on the court, recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Talk about a gut punch.
The Rivalry Runs Deep, Even From The Sidelines
It’s no secret the Pacers and Knicks have some serious bad blood. Haliburton’s Pacers stunned New York in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, a year after they knocked them out of the 2024 NBA playoffs. The guy loves to taunt the Madison Square Garden crowd, making him one of New York’s biggest rivals in the league. So, yeah, watching your arch-nemesis win the whole damn thing from the sidelines? That’s gotta sting. He admitted he was “sad I didn’t get the opportunity to compete in that.” But even through the pain, Haliburton had respect. He called their playoff run “special,” “crazy,” and “unbelievable” from the Hawks series onward. He might hate playing them, but he likes those guys, they’re friends. Still, don’t think for a second he’s backing down. He absolutely believes if he’d been healthy, the Pacers would have won. “Of course,” he said, “I’m an NBA player, I’m a competitor.” You gotta love that fire.
From Achilles Rehab To A Wedding Surprise
While missing the entire 2025-26 season was brutal, Haliburton did make a massive life move this summer: he married his wife, Jade Jones. And get this: 50 Cent performed at their wedding! That’s just wild. Haliburton described it as “special.” Turns out, 50 Cent’s alcohol brand sponsors the Pacers, so they’ve built a “cool relationship.” Apparently, other artists were demanding $750,000 for a half-hour set, but 50 Cent just volunteered. Haliburton kept it a secret from everyone, making it a total surprise for his guests. “That’s family,” he said, “Forever I’ve got his back for that.” It’s a full-circle moment for a guy who apparently never met a “real celebrity” before hooping with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather before he even made it to the NBA. Haliburton confirmed, “Floyd can hoop,” and he himself “did really well” in that pre-draft pickup game.
Now, as the 2026-27 season looms, Tyrese Haliburton is ready to get back on the court and lead the Pacers. He’s been sidelined, he’s seen his rivals celebrate, and you know that competitor in him is absolutely buzzing to reclaim the top spot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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