NBA and Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller knows better than most about legendary postseason moments. New York Knicks fans still shudder at the memory of the famous Reggie Miller game in 1995 to this very day. In contrast, Pacers fans celebrate it triumphantly and everything he gave to his beloved franchise and state.
Fast forward thirty years, and there’s a new sheriff in town, Tyrese Haliburton. Perhaps, when it’s all said and done, his name could be up in those rafters at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena beside Miller. Such was the sheer magnitude of the majestic playoff performances he put in last season for the Pacers, until Haliburton’s devastating Achilles injury ended their unlikely title hopes in Game 7 of the Finals.
Miller gave an emotional tribute to the young star who gave it all for the cause.
How Did Reggie Miller Pass the Torch to Next Pacers Hero Tyrese Haliburton?
As seen on Netflix’s “Starting 5,” a clearly emotional and uncharacteristically speechless Haliburton held back tears upon hearing the great Reggie Miller pay tribute to him. It was a moment in the documentary that truly resonated with the viewer, as they heard Miller’s impassioned words, spoken with the conviction of a great orator.
“There will never, ever, be a question of a guy’s heart, will, determination, his game. No one will ever second-guess any decision that he ever makes again. He risked it all. He risked it all for a franchise. For a state. For an organization.”
A powerful moment from Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’ as Reggie Miller passes the baton to an emotional Tyrese Haliburton as the next great for the Pacers after his Finals run:
“He risked it all for a franchise, for a state, for an organization. … How many are willing to risk it all?” pic.twitter.com/4gsZ635CJR
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 14, 2025
Haliburton had a postseason of the ages. Especially, dismantling the Knicks in the Conference Finals with one of the great fourth-quarter comebacks of the modern era in game one, including a miraculous shot at the buzzer to force overtime that seemed to happen in slow motion, before dropping through the hoop. Thus, prompting delirious celebrations in Indiana and despair in New York.
He carried his clutch ways to the NBA’s biggest stage against the OKC Thunder, winning game one of the Finals with a jaw-dropping pull-up jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining. Devastatingly, he picked up a calf injury in game five, which should have cost him the rest of the finals, but he refused to go down without a fight.
He willed himself through, only to tear his Achilles tendon in game seven after he looked poised to upset the Thunder. Now, the injury will cost him the entire upcoming season. That sacrifice did not go unnoticed by Miller.
Before discussing the full-circle moment of what it’s like to play for the people of Indiana, and thanking him, Miller posed a powerful hypothetical question about the sacrifice Haliburton made: “How many guys in life, how many women in life, are willing to risk it all?”
A humble and emotional Haliburton wiped away a tear before commenting on how he would never change his decision and “work my a** off every day to get back there,” emphasizing how much Miller and the organization mean to him. A powerful scene of the mutual appreciation between two past and present Pacer heroes.
