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Shaquille O'Neal Issues Apology to Tyrese Haliburton After Pacers-Knicks Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated May 24, 2025 6:02 AM ET

Tyrese Haliburton did not have the best of games on Friday night as the Indiana Pacers took on the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Haliburton was still able to register a 14-point, 11-assists double-double with eight rebounds, but he shot just 5-of-16 from the floor, including 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.

The Pacers were far from spectacular either, but somehow, they still managed to steal away Game 2 in Madison Square Garden, 114-109, to mount a commanding 2-0 lead as this series shifts to Indiana for Games 3 and 4.

NBA on TNT provided coverage for Friday night's game, and the crew got the chance to speak to Haliburton shortly after the final buzzer. As soon as he got the opportunity to speak, Shaquille O'Neal immediately issued an apology to the Pacers superstar.

"Tyrese, Shaq here. I owe you an apology," O'Neal said. "During the interview with [Reggie Miller] there was a little bit too much giggling for me. I was like, 'I want this guys to be serious,' and you guys were serious."

"Tyrese... I owe you an apology." ️

Shaq let Hali know he saw the "killer instinct" he wanted to see from the Pacers in Game 2. https://t.co/qYK4ejBrxz pic.twitter.com/j3AJNLJS1f
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 24, 2025

O'Neal was referencing his pregame comments where he called Haliburton out for the latter's interview with Reggie Miller. The Hall of Fame big man said that he didn't like "all that laughing and giggling" from Haliburton, accusing him of a lack of focus.

According to Shaq, he wanted to see that "killer instinct" from Haliburton, which, as it turns out, was exactly what the two-time All-Star exhibited on Friday.

O'Neal is not the type to mince words, and the Los Angeles Lakers icon never hesitates to call it as he sees it. But when he’s wrong, O’Neal doesn’t hesitate to admit it.

O'Neal knew that Haliburton and the Pacers made him eat his own words when he said pregame that they weren't serious enough entering Game 2. They proved him wrong by winning in MSG for a second straight contest, which prompted a humble apology from O'Neal.

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

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