Haliburton on the Knicks’ NBA title: “We could have beaten them”
The Knicks’ NBA championship left Tyrese Haliburton with mixed emotions, as he believes the Pacers could have beaten them with him on the court
Tyrese Haliburton was forced to watch from the sidelines as the New York Knicks made their run to the 2026 NBA championship. The Indiana Pacers point guard was out with a torn right Achilles tendon and told Boardroom about the mixed emotions he felt while watching one of Indiana’s biggest rivals go all the way.
On one hand, Haliburton was happy for his friends Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. On the other, his competitive side definitely would have preferred not to see the Knicks celebrating.
Do I think that if I had been healthy and we had played them, we would have won? Of course. I’m an NBA player, I’m a competitor. Anyone in my position would say the same thing. But what they did in the playoffs was special
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton still wanted to give the Knicks their due, without making excuses or diminishing what they accomplished during the playoffs:
I don’t want anyone to take away from what they did, because it was crazy. The whole run, starting with the series against the Hawks, was incredible
Tyrese Haliburton
Watching the final celebration, however, was not easy. The Pacers point guard said he initially thought about turning off the TV, before changing his mind and continuing to watch the celebrations. Seeing Brunson, Hart and Towns celebrate the title with their respective families made the moment feel like something more than simply watching a rival win.
I was happy for him (Brunson, en.). Seeing Josh there with his twins was cool. Seeing Karl with Jordyn was awesome. They’re all guys I like
Tyrese Haliburton
The rivalry between the Pacers and Knicks, however, remains intense, especially considering what had happened just one year earlier. In 2025, Haliburton had led Indiana to the NBA Finals, eliminating New York in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Are they our rivals? Yeah. But do I like those guys and are they my friends? Yeah. When we see each other on the court, though, it’s war. […] When we play, we hate each other, but afterward there’s love
Tyrese Haliburton
Watching the Knicks win the championship just one year later only added to Haliburton’s motivation. After following the entire run as a spectator, the next goal is clear: get back on the court and lead the Pacers back into NBA title contention.