
The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA finals for the first time since 2000, and while the team effort was evident, only one player could own the Larry Bird Trophy. In a decision that left some fans debating, Pascal Siakam got selected as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP over teammate Tyrese Haliburton by a short margin.
Siakam received five of the nine votes from the media panel covering the series. Haliburton picked up the remaining four, making it one of the closest MVP decisions in recent memory. Both players had standout performances throughout the six-game battle against the New York Knicks, but Siakam’s timely scoring and playoff experience ultimately tilted the vote in his favor.
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
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, The Athletic’s Fred Katz, and Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak were among those who cast votes for Siakam. Head coach Rick Carlisle said postgame that Pascal and Tyrese put us on their backs and made sure we would not lose. The veteran forward’s Game 2 explosion of 39 points in New York and a 30-point outing in Game 4 helped swing the series.
Pascal Siakam’s Big Impact Earned Him The Edge

Siakam delivered when it mattered the most. He averaged 24.8 points and 5.0 rebounds and shot an efficient 52.4% from the field and 50.0% from deep across the series. His Game 6 performance demonstrated true dominance over the Knicks, with 31 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks. That was his third 30-point game of the series, and the Pacers won all three.
Meanwhile, Haliburton showcased his consistency throughout the entire series. He averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while delivering signature moments, including the game-tying shot in Game 1 and a 32-point, 15-assist masterclass in Game 4. Four media members, including NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner and TNT analyst Reggie Miller, backed Haliburton.
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Ultimately, Siakam’s consistency and clutch performances tipped the scales. While Haliburton missed out on individual honors, he now has his sights set on the bigger prize, leading the Pacers to their first-ever NBA championship against the favored Oklahoma City Thunder.