Mar 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard Heated Exchange Goes Viral

Originally posted on Indianapolis Pacers on SI
By Ricardo Klein | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 7:12 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers took full command of Game 1 in their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, jumping out to a 1-0 lead with a convincing performance.

Indiana looked energized and in sync from the jump, clearly enjoying themselves against a familiar opponent. The rivalry between these two squads has been brewing for some time—stemming from last year's playoff battles and continuing through intense regular-season matchups. The tension between the teams is as real as ever, and it showed throughout the contest.

Emotions boiled over in the fourth quarter when the Bucks began to mount a late push. Cameras caught a fiery exchange between Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard, adding more fuel to an already heated series.

In a video provided by LegendZ on X (formerly Twitter), here’s what the two reportedly said at that moment.

LEAKED Audio Of Damian Lillard Trash Talking Tyrese Haliburton:

Dame: “We suck? We’re gonna see about that… and I’ll beat your a**”

Siakam: “Why is he talking… hoe a** n****”

Then, Haliburton told Siakam: “It’s time to get them the f*ck out of here” pic.twitter.com/y0411gPTSh
— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) April 20, 2025

Haliburton didn’t have his sharpest outing in Game 1, finishing with just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, including an 0-for-7 mark from three-point range. Still, he contributed in other areas—dishing out 12 assists, grabbing seven rebounds, and committing only one turnover in 34 minutes. Despite the shooting struggles, he posted a game-high +27 in the plus-minus column, reflecting his overall impact.

As for Lillard, he was sidelined for the opener due to a blood clot in his right calf. The silver lining for Milwaukee is that there’s optimism he could return as early as Game 2 or potentially Game 3.

Lillard has not played since March 18. While his return would undoubtedly provide a major boost for the Bucks, it may take him some time to regain his rhythm and get fully back into form.

These two are among the premier point guards in the league, each bringing a unique style to the floor. Lillard is a scoring machine—an elite shooter with unlimited range and a knack for delivering in clutch moments. His offensive talent places him among the greatest scoring guards the game has seen.

On the other hand, Haliburton offers a more well-rounded approach. He’s a high-IQ floor general who can score when needed, create opportunities for others, and rarely turns the ball over. His ability to control the tempo and make smart decisions sets him apart.

Once Lillard is back in the lineup, the matchup between him and Haliburton has the potential to be one of the most compelling point guard duels of the postseason.

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This article first appeared on Indianapolis Pacers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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