Tyrese Haliburton Poses With ECF MVP, Not Realizing Pascal Siakam Won It
Tyrese Haliburton Poses With ECF MVP, Not Realizing Pascal Siakam Won It
In a surprising turn of events at the Eastern Conference Finals, Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam was awarded the Larry Bird Trophy as the ECF MVP, creating an awkward moment for teammate Tyrese Haliburton.
Following the Pacers’ decisive 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6, Haliburton appeared to step forward during the presentation ceremony, seemingly expecting to receive the recognition himself. The point guard had been instrumental throughout the series, delivering impressive performances that contributed significantly to Indiana securing their NBA Finals berth.
Tyrese Haliburton thought that Larry Bird ECF MVP trophy was his🤣#NBA #Pacers pic.twitter.com/59eF189mNI
— Caleb Nixon (@calebnixonmedia) June 1, 2025
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The moment quickly gained traction on social media as viewers noticed Haliburton’s reaction when Ernie Johnson announced Siakam as the recipient. Despite averaging approximately 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game during the series against the Knicks, Haliburton’s contributions were ultimately overshadowed in the MVP voting. The incident highlights the competitive nature of individual recognition in team sports, even during celebratory moments following major accomplishments.
Tyrese Haliburton Fell Short Of Just One Vote Against Pascal Siakam
In a remarkably close Eastern Conference Finals MVP race, Pascal Siakam edged out Tyrese Haliburton by the slimmest of margins. The voting panel awarded Siakam five votes to Haliburton’s four, creating one of the tightest MVP contests in recent memory.
Siakam impressed throughout the series with consistent offensive production. His statistics tell the story of his impact:
| Statistic | Siakam | Haliburton |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 24.8 | 21.0 |
| Rebounds | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Assists | 3.5 | 10.5 |
| Turnovers | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| FG% | 52.3% | 45.5% |
Haliburton’s playmaking brilliance was on full display throughout the playoffs, particularly with his exceptional assist numbers. The Indiana Pacers point guard continued to cement his reputation as one of the league’s premier facilitators.
Game 6 proved decisive in the voting, with Siakam leading all scorers with 31 points in a dominant performance. Haliburton responded with a double-double, contributing 21 points while dishing out 13 assists in the series-clinching victory.
The Pacers’ front office deserves credit for assembling this dynamic duo. Their bold trades to acquire both Siakam and Haliburton have transformed the franchise into a legitimate contender. The team’s scoring prowess and balanced attack have been hallmarks of their playoff success.
Now facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, the Pacers will need both stars performing at their peak. Despite entering as underdogs, the Indiana squad has already proven their ability to exceed expectations throughout these playoffs.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
