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Reggie Miller Shares Thoughts on Tyrese Haliburton's 'Premature' Choke Celebration

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gautam Varier | Last updated May 22, 2025 5:54 PM ET

Reggie Miller led the Indiana Pacers to a few spectacular wins against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden during his playing career. Miller got to witness one as a commentator too, as the Pacers roared back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Knicks 138-135 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Pacers nearly won in regulation, but Tyrese Haliburton's right toe was on the 3-point line, which meant his circus shot at the buzzer only tied the game. Haliburton thought his shot had won the game, though, as he re-created Miller's choke celebration after making it.

Miller did the choking gesture toward director and rabid Knicks fan Spike Lee in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Pacers and Knicks in 1994. He scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of that game to overturn a 12-point deficit at the start of the period and lead the Pacers to a 93-86 win.

Haliburton paying tribute to Miller with the celebration after leading a comeback against the Knicks was almost perfect, but the game wasn't actually finished, of course. It ended up being a bit premature, and Miller felt that was the case as well when asked about it.

"Little premature, but at the end of the day, they got the win," Miller said.

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Getting the win was the most important thing, and the Pacers did that. They are up 1-0, and Game 2 will be at Madison Square Garden on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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