It was the 1999–00 season that the Indiana Pacers last made it to the NBA Finals, where they played the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite a good effort from Reggie Miller and head coach Larry Bird, the Pacers lost the series 4-2 to the legendary Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant duo.
Now, after 25 years, the Pacers are back in the Finals with a new generation of players. Tyrese Haliburton, their point guard, said it was possible because their fans were so loyal. He recently discussed why he thinks Pacers supporters are different from those in other cities, highlighting their deep-rooted passion and generational loyalty.
Why Tyrese Haliburton Thinks Indiana Has the NBA’s Most Passionate Fans
Haliburton has been a driving force behind Indiana’s success, and as they prepare for the NBA Finals, he’s shedding light on what makes their fan base unique. Unlike big-market teams, Haliburton believes the Pacers have a different type of fan, one deeply rooted in generational loyalty.
“Our home-court advantages are different because people are really passionate about our teams,” Haliburton said. “Their parents were passionate about the team, and their parents before that were passionate about the team. I think that’s a different type of home-court advantage or different type of fan than like a bigger city, if that makes sense.”
Haliburton’s bond with the fans runs deep, and so does his impact on the court. In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, he dropped 32 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 15 assists—without a single turnover. No player in NBA history had ever done that before.
TYRESE HALIBURTON TONIGHT:
32 POINTS
15 ASSISTS
12 REBOUNDS
0 TURNOVERSSUPERSTAR
🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sZzbPgh7hD
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 28, 2025
But Haliburton’s journey hasn’t been easy. In 2022, he was traded from the Sacramento Kings—a move that shattered him from the inside. He thought he was a core piece of their future, but the trade came without warning. Reflecting on that moment, he said, “They didn’t want me… It hurt when I got traded.”
That heartbreak now feels far behind him. Today, he stands tall, leading his new team into the biggest stage in basketball. After more than two decades, the Pacers are back in the Finals. With his leadership and the loyal fans behind them, it feels like winning the championship is finally within reach.
It won’t be without effort, though. Standing between them and NBA greatness is an Oklahoma City Thunder squad run by the vaunted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
