
via Imago
Image Credits: IMAGN

via Imago
Image Credits: IMAGN
Tyrese Haliburton drowned in regret when he hit the iconic Reggie Miller ‘choke’ celebration in Game 1 against the Knicks. He had only forced overtime. “If I would have known it was a two, I would not have done it,” he said about the moment. But it happened to become a historic tale for the Pacers, who did win in overtime. There’s only one concern, though. In a world where some celebrations can lead to fines, Haliburton put himself in the firing line.
Sure, he wouldn’t think twice if it did come to that. However, Draymond Green wants the NBA to change their ways. Maybe highlighting Ja Morant’s case isn’t a great example. But Haliburton was warned for his ‘big balls’ celebration during the postseason. And Green genuinely thinks it’s something the league should avoid doing.
“As much as I love the choke celebration and I pray to God the NBA don’t find him. We take so many things so literal in today’s day and age, you can’t act like you’re choking someone, and like let’s face it. The guy is not really about to choke someone. And so I hope the NBA don’t find him because that’s what we paying to see. Like you talk about entertainers being entertainers. You talk about stars being stars on the biggest stage at the Mecca, like the stars showing up,” he said about Tyrese Haliburton on The Draymond Green Show.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad

via Imago
Apr 8, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
So far, Green would be happy to know the NBA hasn’t approached Haliburton with any sort of fine. It being a Knicks-Pacers series, with Reggie Miller in the building, the moment just called for a celebration. Maybe that was part of the considerations the NBA took in making a call. Additionally, the ‘choke’ celebration is seemingly harmless.
Every Pacers fan, and even Draymond Green, loved Haliburton’s gesture. Surprisingly, Haliburton was the one regretting doing it.
Draymond Green doesn’t want Tyrese Haliburton to stop
No, Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t concerned about being fined by the NBA. The Pacers’ star had just played in one of the most thrilling postseason games. What he didn’t like is that he broke out Miller’s celebration upon tying the game. And after having it done it once, he sees a major obstacle in repeating the celebration.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I think I might have wasted it. If I do it again, then people might say I’m aura farming, so I’m not, I don’t plan on using it again,” Haliburton said about using it on a game-tying shot rather than a game-winner.
What’s your perspective on:
Should the NBA lighten up on celebrations, or is Haliburton's 'choke' a step too far?
Have an interesting take?
But does that change anything? Not for Draymond Green. The Warriors’ defensive pillar loved Hali doing the celebration. What he found most funny, though, was the Pacers’ cornerstone second-guessing it. “My favorite thing about the choke was Tyrese after the game saying I don’t know if I should have used it in game one,” Green revealed.
At the time Reggie Miller did it, the Pacers actually went on to lose the series. The memory must have come flooding right back to Haliburton. However, no matter how the series ends, Draymond Green wants the All-Star guard to use the celebration at every opportunity he gets during the series.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I think he should use it if they win in game three, game four, game five. Like just lean into it at this point,” Green said on his podcast.
Thinking about it, the memory isn’t pleasant for Knicks fans. Not many remember them winning the series. But Miller’s celebration has become eternally iconic, celebrating one of the Knicks’ worst moments. As a mind game, Tyrese Haliburton could keep it up his sleeve. But by the looks of it, Hali may not be doing the choke again. Maybe if it’s a game-winner.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
"Should the NBA lighten up on celebrations, or is Haliburton's 'choke' a step too far?"