Knicks Villain Tyrese Haliburton Rips Celebrity MSG Crowd Before NBA Finals
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, long regarded as a nemesis by New York Knicks supporters, took aim at Madison Square Garden’s celebrity followers on Thursday, May 28 2026, during his final media availability before the NBA Finals.
Haliburton told reporters he believes the well-known figures who regularly fill courtside seats in Manhattan care more about being seen than about the game itself. “They’re not there for basketball,” he said, asserting that the atmosphere at MSG changes once television cameras focus on the famous faces near the bench.
The 26-year-old All-Star added that he prefers arenas “where real fans show up every night,” saying such environments motivate him more than “red-carpet crowds.” His comments quickly circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Knicks loyalists and celebrities frequently spotted at the Garden.
Haliburton’s critique comes as the Pacers prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, opening the series on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. New York was eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but Haliburton’s repeated clutch performances against the Knicks during the regular season earned him the “villain” label among the Garden faithful.
Source: New York Post
