Haliburton’s Take on Knicks Fans

Tyrese Haliburton seems to have a rather interesting view of Knicks fans. The star guard for the Pacers has earned some negative attention from New York after defeating the Knicks in two consecutive playoff games. He remarked that the energy in Madison Square Garden felt more celebrity-oriented and not as rowdy as one might expect.

“Sure, New York has its die-hard fans, and the Knicks have a strong following, but there are also many big-name celebrities present who sometimes act a bit too cool and don’t really shout,” Haliburton commented on “The Pat McAfee Show.” It’s a rather intriguing point. You’d think the atmosphere would be electric, yet he implies it can fall flat at times.

He went on to express a bit of frustration while discussing his experiences in Oklahoma City, pointing out how tough it was to compete there after Indiana lost to the Thunder in last year’s Finals. Haliburton himself faced a significant setback, tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7, which sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 season.

“Oklahoma City does a fantastic job creating an environment reminiscent of a university,” he added. “It gets really loud, making it the ideal setting for a game.” You can almost picture the chaos he describes, a stark contrast to his earlier comments.

McAfee, in good spirits, poked fun at Haliburton’s remarks about the Knicks fans being somewhat aloof. “Are you saying Ben Stiller doesn’t get wild? And Timothée Chalamet? That was some serious energy! You better tread lightly when you talk about Tracy Morgan!”

Haliburton has certainly had his fair share of interaction with New York and its fans. Just last year, the Pacers eliminated the Knicks from the playoffs in the conference finals, winning the series in six games, likely exhausting the local team under the leadership of former coach Tom Thibodeau.

The previous season, the Knicks faced the Pacers again in the semifinals, where they were ousted in a seven-game thriller. It’s interesting to recall how Game 1 ended with a gut-wrenching buzzer-beater from Haliburton, who even had to grab Reggie Miller by the throat as if to signal the stakes of the game. That kind of tension really makes you appreciate the intensity of playoff basketball.

As for the Knicks, their roster has seen little change this season, but the team itself feels different. They’re operating with a fresh 11-man lineup and leveraging their bench effectively, thanks to new coach Mike Brown. It seems that his early investment in bench strength is truly paying off as they push toward the NBA Finals.

Players like Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Miles McBride have really stepped up under Brown, contributing to a solid postseason run. Knicks fans have been a loud and supportive presence, often traveling long distances to back their team, showing great dedication.

After a surprising win against the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, podcast host Bill Simmons highlighted how Knicks fans played a role in the team’s impressive 22-point comeback, calling them the standout crowd of the year.