Tensions were high after Indiana’s Game 5 loss, as Siakam got into a weird exchange with a reporter during his postgame press conference.
The Indiana Pacers failed to close out the New York Knicks in Game 5. They were comfortably beaten on Thursday night, ultimately losing by a 111-94 scoreline.
Tyrese Haliburton had an incredibly poor performance, but he wasn’t alone. Pascal Siakam was the highest scorer among the starters with just 15 points.
Siakam issued a rallying cry to his Pacers teammates after the game. But that wasn’t the only notable moment from his postgame press conference.
The Knicks had the better of Indiana on Thursday night, there is no disputing that. And while answering questions after the game, Spicy P suggested that they ‘played harder.’
Siakam said that in response to a reporter’s question about effort from the team being an issue. The answer led to a back-and-forth between the two, and it got quite awkward.
“What are you talking about? They played harder than us,” Siakam told the reporter. “It’s okay. We played hard, they played harder. What’s your point? I don’t get it? You good, bro?”
“You looking for something, I know. But damn,” Siakam added. “What about you tell me? Go ahead. Who’s this guy? Who is this guy? What’s your name, bro?”
While this exchange wasn’t particularly crazy by NBA standards, it’s out of character for Siakam. The 31-year-old is usually very composed with his answers. Fans on social media had a lot to say about it.
“Wow, he’s rattled. Not a great look,” one fan said. “His hands were shaking at the free throw line all night too, he’s feeling the pressure,” another wrote.
“He’s not rattled. That reporter is a jacka** who everybody hates and has done nothing but cause problems everywhere he goes,” a third fan said in response.
“Siakam is right here. It’s a stupid question, baiting for content. Pacers played harder in Game 4, Knicks played harder in Game 5. That’s basketball, it happens. One team has to play harder,” a fourth fan said.
“Gregg Doyel Naturally, fans on social media had a lot to say about it,” a fifth fan added.
One way or the other, the only thing that Siakam and the Pacers need to focus on is closing the series out in Game 6.
