Pascal Siakam has testy exchange with reporter after Game 5 loss

Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam had a tense exchange with a reporter following his team’s loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night.

The Knicks kept their season alive and now trail 3-2 in the series after beating the Pacers 111-94 at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. Siakam, who finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds, said in his postgame news conference that the Knicks “played harder” than Indiana on loose balls and rebounds.

Siakam’s assessment of the loss did not sit well with a reporter, who asked how it is possible for a team to not play hard enough in a playoff game with such high stakes. Siakam felt it was pretty self-explanatory.

“What are you talking about?” Siakam replied. “They played harder than us. It’s okay. We played hard, but they played harder. What’s your point? I don’t get it.”

The reporter then doubled down and challenged Siakam to explain how the Pacers would fail to give full effort in an Eastern Conference Finals game.

“That happens in the game, though. That’s basketball,” Siakam said. “You good? You good, bro? You’re looking for something, I know, but damn. I told you. What else do you want me to tell you?”