NEW YORK (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton was waiting for the right time to bring back Reggie Miller's choke signal from the Pacers' postseason past.
A big shot at Madison Square Garden with Miller in the building seemed perfect — even though his celebration turned out to be premature.
Haliburton ran toward the crowd along the sideline with his hands around his neck after hitting a long jumper as time expired in regulation Wednesday night. He hoped it was a 3-pointer to beat the New York Knicks, but video replay showed that his toe was on the line and it was a 2 that had tied the game.
The Pacers went on to win 138-135 in oevrtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“Everybody wanted me to do it like last year at some different point, but it’s got to feel right and it felt right at the time,” Haliburton said. “If I would have known it was a 2, I would not have done it. So I might have wasted it.”
Miller flashed the choke signal to Knicks superfan Spike Lee while leading a rally in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. The Hall of Fame guard scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to put the Pacers up 3-2 in the series, though New York rallied to win the next two games.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle wasn't worried about Haliburton inciting the crowd the way Miller loved to during the fierce rivalry of the 1990s.
“Listen, players can do what they want and it’s an emotional thing. It’s not a big deal,” Carlisle said. “It’s not a big deal. We got to go out there, the place is unlikely to be any louder than it was tonight.”
After Haliburton scored 26 points to lead the Pacers past the Knicks last year in Game 7 of the East semifinals at MSG, he wore a sweatshirt featuring Miller's choke pose to his postgame press conference.
Miller was on the crew calling the game for TNT on Wednesday. Haliburton said they communicate often and though weren't able to speak immediately after the game, they did make eye contact.
“Definitely a special time, and yeah, really cool he was in the building for that,” Haliburton said.
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) makes a choke motion towards the New York Knicks after hitting a shot at the end of the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Themus Fulks hit a jumper with 11 seconds left to give No. 25 UCF a 73-72 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday.
Riley Kugel scored 19 points for the Knights, who held on after blowing a five-point lead with 2:22 to play. Fulks, who came in 13th in the country in assists at 6.6 per game, had 12 assists and six points.
The Bearcats had a chance to win, but Jalen Celestine's 3-pointer at the buzzer missed off the back iron.
Jamichael Stillwell added 15 points for the Knights (13-2, 2-1 Big 12), and backup big man Jeremy Foumena had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Moustapha Thiam, who transferred from UCF to Cincinnati in the offseason, was booed on every touch and finished with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting for the Bearcats (8-8, 0-3). Jizzle James added 14 points and Baba Miller had 13.
The game was tight throughout. UCF led 33-32 at halftime and its biggest second-half lead was six points. After the Knights went ahead 71-66 with 2:22 to play, Thiam responded with a hook shot and two free throws, and Miller's layup with 30 seconds left put the Bearcats ahead 72-71.
Cincinnati shot only 3 of 19 (15.8%) from 3-point range. UCF, meanwhile, shot 57.7% from the floor and 6 of 14 from 3.
The Bearcats kept it close thanks to their defense and rebounding. Cincinnati forced 14 turnovers for 17 points and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points.
Cincinnati: Hosts Colorado on Wednesday.
UCF: At Kansas State on Wednesday.
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Central Florida center Jeremy Foumena (0) goes up to shoot between Cincinnati forward Baba Miller (18) and center Moustapha Thiam, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida forward Jamichael Stillwell (4) celebrates after getting the win as Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam (52) and guard Jizzle James (2) look on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida guard Themus Fulks goes up to shoot the game-winning shot as Cincinnati forward Baba Miller (18) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
