NBA Fans Hilariously React to Indiana Pacers' Thrilling Comeback Win Against New York Knicks

The Indiana Pacers, thanks in large part to an overtime-forcing shot from Tyrese Haliburton that will likely continue to send shivers down the spine of New York Knicks fans for years to come, secured what is no doubt one of the most exciting comebacks in recent NBA history on Wednesday night.

In doing so, the Pacers erased a 14-point lead held by the Knicks—who again had no shortage of celebrity supporters in the house at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Larry David and Timothée Chalamet among them—to ultimately secure a final victory of 138 to 135.

The choke, though painful, doesn’t bring the Knicks’ chances to an end, however. Next, the team will again face off against Indiana for another New York home game before heading to Pacers territory on Sunday.

Speaking with reporters after Wednesday night’s game, Haliburton said he “for sure” thought his incredible shot in the match’s final minutes was a three-pointer, which would have given the Pacers a comeback win without going into overtime.

“Then my focus just became winning it, how we could win the game, and I thought we did a great job of sticking with it in overtime, just making big play after big play,” the 25-year-old Iowa State alum said, later adding that he wasn’t “plotting on it” with regards to his decision to celebrate with a choke gesture. As longtime NBA fans will note, the history of that gesture runs deep. Haliburton, however, does not have any intention of repeating it.

“Everybody wanted me to do it last year at some different point but it’s just gotta feel right,” Haliburton said. “It felt right at the time. If I would have known it was a two, I would not have done it. I might have wasted it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura farming. I don’t plan on using it again.”

For a look at how NBA fans reacted to the thrilling Wednesday night showdown at MSG, see below.