Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are headed to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, where they'll be taking on Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers. Following last postseason's seven-game series, many wondered if either team would be back at this stage again.

Turns out the NBA scriptwriters borrowed plans from the the WWE.

Jalen Brunson reacts to WWE script with Tyrese Haliburton coming true

Jalen Brunson fractured his hand in the 2024 East semis and the Knicks lost to the Pacers in seven games. Indiana advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, but they fell as well following Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring injury.

Shortly after the NBA Finals on June 28, 2024, both Brunson and Haliburton were featured in a WWE Smackdown episode with wrestlers Logan Paul and LA Knight.

During the New York Knicks' media availability on Monday afternoon, Jalen Brunson was asked about the episode he and Tyrese Haliburton did together and how funny it is to see that the WWE helped set up another series.

“WWE, they were cooking when they did that,” Brunson said of Haliburton during Monday afternoon's media availability. “Great player. He's done a lot. Quieted a lot of people. He's obviously their engine and they go as he goes, so I think it's going to be a tough task. But I think as a team, we just have to sit together, do what we do, and control what we can control. Like I said, I'm happy for his success, but this is a new challenge for us.”

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Marc Stein predicts if Jason Kidd is ‘secretly angling’ to leave Mavericks for KnicksPreston Byers ·
Jason Kidd met with Phil Jackson over the summer
NBA rumors: What some with Mavericks believe Knicks will decide with Jason KiddJulian Ojeda ·
Apr 18, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
1 major reason Jason Kidd ‘appeals’ to the KnicksZachary Draves ·
Leon Rose Knicks, William Wesley, with black silouhettes of Jason Kidd, Chris Finch, Ime Udoka next to them
Knicks’ patient process to replace Tom Thibodeau shouldn’t confuse fansKris Pursiainen ·
ESPN analyst Mark Jackson during the game between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Stephen A. Smith campaigns for Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr ‘piggyback’ claimZachary Weinberger ·
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) at Footprint Center.
Stephen A. Smith lists Knicks as best trade options for Kevin Durant, GiannisBenedetto Vitale ·

Even Knicks forward Josh Hart, who spent time with both Brunson and Haliburton on Team USA during the 2023 World Cup, joked about how great it was to see WWE's script come to fruition

“WWE writes a great script,” Hart added of the Brunson-Haliburton WWE script. “There's gonna be a lot of guys that's going to be trying to get on WWE this summer. They're two of the best point guard, not just in the East, but in the league. It's going to be fun, they both have two different playing styles. JB's more of a scoring guard, Tyrese runs that offense and gets guys involved, pushes the pace, those types of things. There's going to be back-and-forth matchups, chess matches, both guys are extremely talented. I look forward to that.”

Through 12 postseason games, Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three.

Through 10 games this postseason, Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and an NBA-high 9.3 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field.

Game 1 between the Knicks and Pacers is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8PM EST on TNT.