Could Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton take budding rivalry into WWE ring?

It’s no secret that both Haliburton and Brunson are avid wrestling fans. Both players even have shirts available on the WWE Shop. Haliburton, in particular, has made several appearances on WWE programming and backstage, including being greeted by WWE Hall of Famers Booker T and Queen Sharmell before a game against the Houston Rockets last season. Brunson, while less vocal about his passion for wrestling, tweeted after the MSG show that he had “lived out a childhood dream” alongside Haliburton.

To be clear, it’s highly unlikely that Brunson and Haliburton will ever wrestle in a WWE ring. The risk of injury is too great for their respective teams to allow it, especially since both players are already recovering from injuries. However, the idea is an entertaining one for both NBA and WWE fans. There’s also a strong possibility that both players will appear on WWE programming again in the future — especially Haliburton, with the 2025 Royal Rumble set to take place in Indianapolis.

As for the next time fans can catch Haliburton and Brunson facing off, the countdown is on for Oct. 25, when the Knicks host the Pacers at Madison Square Garden for their home opener on ESPN. Perhaps this meeting will carry an extra edge, with the possibility of the loser taking the pin in a potential future wrestling match.