Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has opened up about the painful memory of watching the New York Knicks win the 2026 NBA championship. In a recent interview, the two-time All-Star said he had to turn off the television during the celebration, a stark reminder of the Pacers' own title hopes dashed by his Achilles injury in the 2025 Finals. The team's current form is a struggle, having lost 121-133 to the Detroit Pistons in their last game on April 12, 2026.
Haliburton was a guest on "Boardroom Talks." He described the emotional difficulty of watching a rival team's success. "I usually watch the finals celebration. That's a special thing and an emotional thing to watch, guys winning a championship," Haliburton said. "But when the Knicks won, I thought to myself, 'I got to turn this off.'"
The Knicks ended a 53-year title drought, which made the moment even more bitter for Haliburton. He had personally eliminated them in the previous season's Eastern Conference Finals. His iconic game-tying shot in Game 1 of that series was a defining moment. Seeing that same opponent lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy was a tough pill to swallow.
The Pacers' magical run to the 2025 NBA Finals was cut short by tragedy. Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles injury in Game 7. He was writhing in pain on the floor as Indiana's championship dreams evaporated. The team had a real chance to win its first NBA title, having previously won three in the ABA. Fate intervened in the cruelest way.
Haliburton has no doubt about what could have been. When asked if a healthy Pacers team would have beaten the Knicks, he was unequivocal. "Would we win? Of course. I'm an NBA player. I'm a competitor," he stated. He stressed that the unshakable belief in that Pacers locker room made the run forever special, even with the heartbreaking ending.
The aftermath of that Finals loss has been challenging. Haliburton noted the team went from competing for a championship to having one of the league's worst records. Recent results show the struggle. Their recent form shows just one win in the last five games (LLWLL). They have lost their last two, including that 121-133 defeat to Detroit and a 94-105 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on April 10.
Other recent scorelines include a 94-123 win over the Brooklyn Nets on April 9, but also losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves (104-124) and Cleveland Cavaliers (117-108). The goal now is to climb back to respectability.
The primary focus is on Haliburton's return to full health. He is expected to be ready for the upcoming NBA season. His comeback is the central pillar of Indiana's plan to return to contention. He will lead a roster that includes Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac, and Kelly Oubre Jr.. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard are also key pieces.
Haliburton is eager to regain the magic of that 2025 playoff run. The memory of the injury and watching the Knicks celebrate only fuels his motivation. The Pacers' path forward relies on his health and leadership. The team aims to rebuild the identity that took them so close to a title, hoping to write a different ending next time.
