Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

WWE Shares Faceoff Throwback Between Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson As Pacers-Knicks Gear Up For Eastern Conference Finals

The Pacers-Knicks will clash it out in Eastern Conference Finals from May 21.

Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

WWE shared a faceoff throwback between two NBA guards-Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson. As the league is gearing up for the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, WWE shared a throwback between the rivals, suggesting that there couldn’t be any better preview of the forthcoming series. Notably, the Pacers became the first conference finalists of the NBA Playoffs 2025.

They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to book their conference finals berth for the second straight season. On the other hand, the Knicks defeated reigning champions, Boston Celtics, to join the Pacers as their rivals. As the series is set to begin on Wednesday, May 21, WWE shared a throwback from the time when Brunson and Haliburton took part in a stare-down.

The only @NBA Eastern Conference Finals preview you need.@jalenbrunson1 @TyHaliburton22 pic.twitter.com/F3deRZmWUe
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2025

Also Read: Indiana Pacers Conference Finals Record & History- How Have the Pacers Fared in Eastern Conference Finals?

What Happened During Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton’s WWE Stare-Down?

In July 2024, Brunson and Haliburton came across each other during a very unusual setup for NBA players- WWE SmackDown. Logan Paul was clashing against LA Knight at Madison Square Garden, which also happens to be the home of the Knicks. During the episode, Paul made a grand entrance with Haliburton and as they stepped closer to the ring, the Pacers’ star spotted his rival, Jalen Brunson.

They were coming off an Eastern Conference Semifinals encounter, where the Pacers defeated New York 4-3 to advance ahead.

Coming back to the stare-down, Haliburton took Paul’s brass knuckles and punched them on the stairs. Brunson, who was watching everything, got triggered with this, and stepped into the match arena. The two got involved in an exchange and had to be separated by the WWE officials.

Brunson joined Knights in the ring with a steel chair and yelled at Haliburton, ”You been soft”, to which Haliburton replied, “You lucky”. The 25-year-old then walked away after repeatedly saying, “I’ll be back.”

taking on the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/3wLx962Kxu
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 17, 2025

Indeed he is back, both sides will engage in a high-octane best-of-seven series starting on Wednesday, May 21.

Also Read: Boston Celtics Join Previous Five Defending Champions To Extend Crazy NBA Postseason Defeat Record

Jalen Brunson

Tyrese Haliburotn

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.