Indiana Pacers legends Reggie Miller and Tyrese Haliburton recently sat down to discuss a shared piece of franchise history: the infamous choke sign directed at the New York Knicks. The conversation, released to hype fans for the 2026-27 season, links two of the team's biggest moments across three decades. This comes as the current Pacers squad looks to rebound from a tough stretch, having lost 121-133 to the Detroit Pistons on April 12, 2026.
Reggie Miller created the iconic taunt during the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. With the Pacers beating the Knicks 93-86 in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, Miller scored 25 of his game-high 39 points in the fourth quarter. He famously turned to Knicks superfan Spike Lee in the crowd and flashed the choke sign. That moment is etched in NBA playoff lore as a defining act of rivalry and clutch performance.
In Game 1, Haliburton hit a dramatic, high-arcing three-pointer at the buzzer to cap a wild 14-point comeback in the final four minutes. He immediately turned and made the choke sign toward the broadcast table where Miller was commentating for TNT. The shot was later ruled a two-pointer because his foot was on the line, tying the game and sending it to overtime instead of winning it.
Miller and Haliburton represent the pinnacle of scoring and playmaking for Indiana in their respective eras. Their half-hour conversation allowed them to compare notes on taking and making the biggest shots in franchise history. The choke sign serves as a direct thread between them, a symbol of confidence and competitive fire against a historic foe. It's a ritual passed from one generation's star to the next.
Haliburton's decision to mimic Miller was a spontaneous tribute in the heat of a playoff battle. It acknowledged the weight of history in that building against that opponent. For Miller, seeing the gesture repeated was a full-circle moment that validated his own legacy's lasting impact. These kinds of connections are what build a team's identity over time, something fans can follow through our roster page as rosters evolve.
While the discussion focused on past glory, the present-day Pacers are in a challenging phase. Their recent form shows one win and four losses in their last five outings, a sequence of LLWLL. They've dropped their last two games, including that 121-133 defeat to the Pistons on April 12. Prior to that, they fell 94-105 to the Philadelphia 76ers on April 10.
The team did secure a convincing 123-94 road win over the Brooklyn Nets on April 9. But losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves (104-124 on April 7), Cleveland Cavaliers (117-108 on April 5), and Charlotte Hornets (129-108 on April 3) have defined this difficult period. Finding consistent performance is the immediate task for Haliburton and his teammates as they look ahead.
The release of the Miller-Haliburton interview is strategically timed to generate excitement for the 2026-27 campaign. It reminds fans of the franchise's capacity for iconic, clutch performances on the biggest stages. For the current team, the path forward involves regrouping and refining their game to climb the standings.
The legacy of players like Miller sets a standard. Haliburton, as the current face of the franchise, carries the responsibility of pushing the Pacers back toward those memorable playoff nights. Every game is a chance to build a new chapter. The next steps will be closely watched by a fanbase eager to see if today's Pacers can create moments worthy of future nostalgia.
