Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] There may be a viral clip floating around that shows Tyrese Haliburton appearing to expect the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy—only to see it handed to Pascal Siakam—but don’t let that fool you.
The Indiana Pacers have one of the most unified locker rooms in the NBA, and it’s that selflessness that’s carried them all the way to the 2025 NBA Finals. Now, they’ll look to keep their miracle run alive against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that has piled up an incredible 80 wins this season.
Haliburton embodies the spirit of a true leader—someone who embraces his teammates’ achievements as his own. He’s often said he wants to be a “good mom” for the Pacers, and his postgame gesture proved it: handing Siakam both the ECF MVP and the championship trophy for a celebratory photo, saying, “Come on, P. Here. Yeah, you gotta hold both.” That moment, shared via footage from the NBA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, underscored his team-first mindset.
Beyond the photo op, Haliburton led MVP chants for Siakam, acknowledging the veteran forward’s steadying presence throughout the Pacers’ series win over the New York Knicks. It’s this lack of ego and commitment to collective success that’s allowed Indiana to play above the sum of its parts.
The Pacers’ improbable run has felt almost storybook. In each of their three playoff series wins, they’ve pulled off at least one miracle comeback—from erasing late deficits against the Bucks and Cavs to overcoming a 15-point hole with under two minutes left in Game 1 versus the Knicks.
Now, they face their toughest test yet. The Thunder present few weaknesses on defense and have the speed to disrupt Indiana’s up-tempo attack. But the Pacers have thrived as underdogs all postseason, and with their unmatched chemistry and belief in one another, they remain a dangerous opponent—no matter the odds.