Mike Breen, the longtime voice of the NBA Finals on ESPN and ABC, came under fire from fans following his commentary on a highlight play involving Pascal Siakam during Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The incident occurred on Thursday night as the Indiana Pacers built a significant lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter.

With the Pacers comfortably ahead, their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton secured a steal near halfcourt and swiftly advanced toward the basket. He then delivered a no-look pass to a speeding Pascal Siakam, who completed a forceful dunk amidst the Oklahoma City defense. Breen exclaimed, “Cross-court, Si-AKAM for the slam!” before allowing the energy of the Pacers’ enthusiastic home crowd to resonate through the broadcast.

Fan Backlash Highlights Questions About Breen’s Announcing

The call instantly became a focal point on social media, attracting criticism from many NBA fans who questioned Breen’s enthusiasm and precision. One post on X garnered nearly two million views and stated,

I REALLY REALLY don’t wanna say this cause he’s one of the greatest of all time, but Mike Breen has lost his magic as an announcer. We have seen multiple instances this series where he miscalls legendary plays and moments. It may be time to go, but we are forever thankful Mike.
— Jake (@playoffjake)

This sentiment was echoed by other users who felt the call indicated Breen might be past his prime. A separate post lamented,

hate to be this person but kevin harlan woulda had us really turnt at the end of the half here lol, breen just don’t got it like that no more

Adding a layer of humor to the discussion, one fan joked,

i’m damn near ready to call Mike Breen a** at this point,

reflecting the frustration some viewers were expressing online.

Factors Behind the Negative Response to Breen’s Call

There are a few possible reasons contributing to the backlash against a sportscaster widely regarded among the best in the business. First, Pacers fans may hold some underlying bias due to Breen’s well-known association with the New York Knicks, for whom he calls games on MSG Networks. After two intense postseason clashes between the Pacers and Knicks in 2024 and 2025, that rivalry might fuel skepticism, with some fans suspecting Breen favors Oklahoma City or is less invested when calling Indiana’s success.

Another factor stems from earlier performances during the series. While Breen delivered on Haliburton’s Game 1 winner, he notably toned down his signature BANG call—a type of emphatic celebration he usually reserves for three-pointers but quickly gave as a concession in Game 2 because he said he owed it to the emerging star. Some viewers might feel this tempered excitement set a lower bar for the remainder of the series, contributing to disappointment about his less impassioned response in later moments like Siakam’s dunk.

Analyzing Breen’s Commentary on the Play

Despite the online criticism, Breen’s call of the dunk itself stands as a competent narration of the action. He stayed focused on the rapid transitional play, broke through the noise of the energized crowd, and punctuated Siakam’s slam effectively. Importantly, because the dunk unfolded during the second quarter with Indiana already holding a substantial lead, Breen appeared to exercise restraint by not overstating the moment. Skilled announcers often save their most powerful calls for climactic points in tightly contested games, which was not the case here.

After breaking down the sequence, it’s clear Breen’s style aimed to blend excitement with context, respecting both the crowd’s energy and the flow of the game without oversaturation. This deliberate choice, however, may have clashed with fan expectations shaped by earlier peak moments in the series.

Legacy and Potential Impact Moving Forward

Mike Breen has been a defining voice in basketball broadcasting for more than twenty years, known for elevating the drama of the NBA Finals with iconic calls. The recent reactions signal a challenging crossroads where longtime announcers can face heightened scrutiny amid changing fan dynamics and the high stakes of postseason play. Pacers fans’ apparent distrust linked to his Knicks ties and audience expectations following earlier games likely combined to create this unusual wave of criticism.

While Breen has openly reflected on his approach to some calls earlier in the series, such introspection was not apparent following the Siakam dunk commentary. How Breen and the networks respond to this feedback will influence perceptions of his future performances in critical moments. Ultimately, preserving the balance between celebratory energy and game context remains a vital skill for maintaining credibility and connection with a diverse NBA audience.