On May 25, 2025, Tyrese Haliburton recreated a dramatic moment at Madison Square Garden, drawing strong comparisons to Reggie Miller’s infamous choke gesture from three decades earlier. After believing he had sunk a game-winning buzzer-beater in the Eastern Conference Finals opener, Haliburton mimicked Miller’s signature celebration, sparking a wave of excitement and debate. This moment, central to the NBA playoff frenzy, highlights why the phrase “history repeats itself” is fitting for Garden rivalries.
The Pacers’ star guard appeared to have hit a three-pointer that would clinch the game against the Knicks. He turned to the crowd and made the recognizable choke sign, a gesture Miller originally made in 1994 to rattle Madison Square Garden’s crowd. However, replays revealed Haliburton’s foot was on the line, reducing the shot to two points and forcing overtime. Despite this setback, Indiana pulled off a 138-135 victory in the extended period.
The lasting legacy of Reggie Miller’s iconic MSG moments
Reggie Miller’s showdown in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals remains one of Madison Square Garden’s most memorable moments. Miller led a stunning comeback, finishing with a clutch performance and silencing the hostile Knicks fans with his famous choke gesture. Fast forward to 2025, and that legacy found a new chapter with Haliburton’s daring imitation during a similarly high-stakes playoff game. As Miller watched the game live on TNT, it became clear that some rivalries and traditions endure over the years in Indiana basketball culture.
BetMGM capitalized on this growing narrative by releasing a
“Top 10 Villains in MSG History”
list, which featured three Indiana Pacers—Miller, Haliburton, and Rik Smits. Miller claimed the number one spot, Haliburton was ranked fifth, and Smits appeared at ninth, reinforcing the enduring influence of Indiana athletes in Madison Square Garden lore.
Miller himself commented on the list with humor and pride on his Instagram story:
“I’d like to thank the Academy for this award.. 3 of the Top 10 occupied by members from the Hoosier state. Look @riksmits45, we’ve arrived.”
—Reggie Miller, NBA Legend
The reference to “Hoosier,” Indiana’s nickname for its residents and culture, ties these players together as representatives of their state’s deep basketball roots, a tradition now carried forward by Haliburton.
Haliburton reflects on his premature celebration and its fallout
Tyrese Haliburton started the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals with a thrilling play that energized the Pacers and frustrated Knicks fans. With just over seven seconds remaining and Indiana trailing by two points, Haliburton masterfully navigated up the court, recovered from a fumble, and hit a dramatic shot that seemed to be a game-winning three-pointer. He followed with a bold choke gesture aimed at the hostile Garden crowd, igniting memories of Miller’s historic performance.
However, Haliburton soon learned his celebration was premature once officials reviewed the play. His foot was on the boundary line, lowering the basket’s value to two points and sending the game into overtime. Despite this twist, Indiana secured the win during the extra period.
After the game, Haliburton expressed mixed feelings about the moment:
“I thought it was a three. I tried to hit the celly and it didn’t work, but we finished it in overtime,”
he told reporter Allie LaForce. Regarding the decision to mimic Miller’s gesture, he added:
“Everybody wanted me to do it, like last year at some different point. But it’s just got to — it’s got to feel right. And it felt right at the time,”
and later admitted,
If I would’ve known it was a two — I would not have done it… I think I might have wasted it.
Although the shot did not count as initially hoped, the spectacle contributed to extremely high TV viewership. The Game 1 broadcast averaged 6.6 million viewers and peaked at 8.5 million during the crucial final minutes, marking the most-watched Eastern Conference Finals opener in TNT’s history. This attention highlights not only the significance of Haliburton’s gesture but also the enduring appeal of the Knicks-Pacers rivalry.
The broader playoff narrative and what lies ahead
With the Pacers taking a critical early lead in the series, the heat is on for the Knicks as Game 3 shifts to Indianapolis. The question remains whether the Knicks can overcome the momentum Haliburton and his teammates have built or if Indiana’s “villainous” cadre will continue to deepen their playoff grip. As Haliburton wrestles with the shadow of Miller’s legacy, the unfolding series will determine if he evolves from a fleeting pretender to a lasting Garden villain.
This playoff season has reignited historic grudges and showcased the powerful blend of respect and rivalry that defines basketball at Madison Square Garden. As the competition intensifies, fans and viewers worldwide remain captivated by the drama and personality cast across every game.