Tyrese Haliburton did the iconic NSFW Sam Cassell celebration after leading the Pacers to a Game 2 win against the Cavaliers and revealed his honest feelings afterward.
The Indiana Pacers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tyrese Haliburton went viral following his passionate celebration of the game-winning three. Sam Cassell popularized this particular NSFW move, and it doesn’t come without consequences.
Haliburton also sent a strong message to Cavaliers fans after they motivated him by calling him overrated. The 25-year-old had himself quite a night, despite not stuffing the stat sheet.
Historically, the particular celebration used by the 2-time All-Star isn’t looked upon favorably by the NBA. A fine is incoming for Tyrese, but he doesn’t seem to care.
Haliburton was voted the NBA’s most overrated player in a poll conducted by The Athletic. He’s dealt with quite a bit of criticism and hate during his career.
The Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks with ease in the first round, which also saw Tyrese send a strong two-word taunt to the rest of the NBA.
He wants all the smoke, it couldn’t be clearer. And talking about his NSFW celebration after the game, Hali was far from contrite.
“I’ve been waiting for that. I’ve been waiting for that, man,” Haliburton told reporters afterward. “It was just right in the moment. It was just right in the moment. Yeah, man. I’ll take that fine gladly.”
This particular celebration, popularized by Cassell, has a long NBA history. He seemingly came up with it after watching ‘Major League II.’
LeBron James pulled out the move against Indiana, ironically, in 2021. Andre Drummond, too, picked up a fine for doing it against the Timberwolves in 2024.
In both instances, the NBA fined the players $15,000, which is likely what Haliburton will be looking at.
Considering that he’s on a 5-year, $244 million contract with Indiana, it’s unsurprising that Hali doesn’t seem bothered about that amount.
