It was an awkward day to be Tyrese Haliburton.
The Indiana Pacers reserved a berth in the NBA Finals after defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6.
Point guard Tyrese Haliburton really stood out during the series as he lit up the scoreboard and even went viral for his playful taunts toward the Knicks.
He was a crucial part of the Pacers’ puzzle this season. So when it came time to hand out the ECF MVP Award, many expected his name to be called. But in a surprising twist, it was Pascal Siakam who took home the Larry Bird Trophy.
Even Haliburton seemed taken aback when Siakam was announced as the winner. During the presentation, Ernie Johnson was on the court celebrating with the Pacers.
Tyrese Haliburton thought that Larry Bird ECF MVP trophy was his🤣#NBA #Pacers pic.twitter.com/59eF189mNI
— Caleb Nixon (@calebnixonmedia) June 1, 2025
As Ernie presented the MVP award, Haliburton unhesitatingly stepped forward, perhaps thinking the award would be his to accept. It’s hard to say for sure what was going through his mind at that moment. Maybe he just wanted a closer look at the trophy or thought he’d earned it with his stellar performances. And honestly, who could blame him?
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Tyrese Haliburton Fell Short Of Just One Vote Against Pascal Siakam
While most Indy fans would have thought the same thing as Tyrese Haliburton, the voting panel thought otherwise.
The spotlight really shined on Pascal Siakam and Haliburton. Siakam narrowly snagged the MVP award by just one vote. Five journalists backed him, while four chose Haliburton.
Over the entire series, Siakam was a force, averaging 24.8 points, five rebounds, 3.5 assists, and only one turnover per game. All while shooting a stellar 52.3% from the field.
Pascal Siakam received five of the nine votes for Eastern Conference Finals MVP from a media panel covering the series. Tyrese Haliburton received the other four votes. pic.twitter.com/ZdpvJsRaTf
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 1, 2025
Haliburton didn’t disappoint either. He posted impressive averages of 21 points, six rebounds, and 10.5 assists, though he had a few more turnovers at 1.7 per game and shot 45.5% from the field.
During Game 6, Siakam shone brightest with 31 points, leading all scorers, while Haliburton showcased his playmaking skills with 21 points and 13 assists.
The franchise traded away former stars to bring in both Siakam and Haliburton, leading them to a new era filled with promise. With the NBA Finals right around the corner, they’re gearing up to face the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder.
Also Read: “He Was Not In Jail”: Tyrese Haliburton Jokes About Father’s Return To Pacers Home Games
