After Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton's dad went face-to-face with Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo seconds after Game 5 in the first round, John Haliburton was banned from attending Pacers games for the foreseeable future. However, after his son dramatic overtime win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, Haliburton went viral on social media.

John Haliburton celebrated his son Tyrese's game-tying three that completed a 14-point comeback to send Game 1 into overtime. In the video, an ecstatic John is seen decked out in Pacers gear while mimicking his son's choke sign at a bar, per Nurse Ky's X, formerly Twitter.

The proud father continues to see his son come up big in the clutch throughout the Pacers' postseason run, as he couldn't contain his excitement. After watching Haliburton hit one clutch shot in the Pacers' first-round series against the Bucks, he hit a game-winner in Game 5's clincher to eliminate Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, 4-1.

After sending the game into overtime, Haliburton finished with 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting, including 4-of-12 from deep, 11 assists, and four rebounds. The Pacers outscored the Knicks 13-10 in overtime to steal Game 1 and take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers break 27-year trend in Game 1 win vs. Knicks

Related Indiana Pacers NewsArticle continues below
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in overtime during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson earns endorsement from Tyrese Haliburton
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots a game-tying two point shot to send the game to overtime in the fourth quarter against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton shelves choke celebration to avoid ‘aura farming’
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates with teammates after tying the game in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime against the New York Knicks during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Pacers' dramatic overtime win in Game 1 against the Knicks made NBA playoff history. After erasing a 14-point deficit with 2:50 left in regulation, the Pacers completed a feat 970 other teams failed to reach.

With the series-opening win, the Pacers put the Knicks on the wrong end of playoff history, per NBA insider Keerthika Uthayakumar.

“NBA teams were 0-970 when down by 14 or more points in the final 2:50 of regulation in the playoffs over the last 27 postseasons,” Uthayakumar said. “They are now 1-970.”

Dramatically, the Pacers took a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.