Tyrese Haliburton has been proving doubters wrong all through the 2025 playoffs. After hitting a game-winning shot in the final seconds of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he posted a funny five-word message that caught everyone’s attention.
It perfectly captured the moment and the excitement of his big play on basketball’s biggest stage.
Tyrese Haliburton’s 5-Word Message Gets Everyone Talking
After draining the game-winner with just 0.3 seconds left in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton took to X and posted a short, hilarious, and perfectly timed message:
“It’s gotta be the shoooeeesss”
The five-word post instantly caught fire online, and for good reason. It was a playful nod to the iconic Nike ad campaign made famous by Michael Jordan and Spike Lee. But this time, the spotlight was on Haliburton and his brand-new partnership with Puma.
It’s gotta be the shoooeeesss
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 6, 2025
Haliburton signed a multi-year deal with Puma, stepping away from Nike after years of wearing Kobes, including during his Team USA stint at the Olympics. Now, as the face of Puma Basketball, he debuted his first signature shoe, the Hali 1, on the biggest stage possible: Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City.
Haliburton had said at the time of the announcement of his deal with Puma:
“I’m super excited to announce that I’ve joined the Puma Family. I look forward to being a part of their commitment to the next generation of basketball. Puma’s vision and dedication to supporting athletes align perfectly with my goals, and I’m excited to represent the brand on and off the court.”
His Game 1 heroics and his funny post turned the spotlight right back on those shoes. And yes, it definitely felt like the shoes had something to do with it.
Haliburton Shines in Clutch Moment To Lead Pacers to a 111–110 Win
Haliburton’s post was more than just about sneakers; it was a statement. Critics had called him “overrated” earlier in the season, and he narrowly missed out on the Eastern Conference Finals MVP by a single vote. But in the biggest moment, he showed why he is a lethal threat on the court.
Trailing by 15 points in the second half, and still down five with just 90 seconds to go, the Pacers pulled off yet another comeback: it’s their fifth such rally of the 2025 playoffs.
Tyrese Haliburton : 14 points on 6-13 shooting, 2-7 from 3, 10 rebounds & 6 assists in 39 minutes (Game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left. His 3rd game-winning shot this postseason) pic.twitter.com/6JivqvAboA
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) June 6, 2025
Haliburton led the charge with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, including that game-winning 21-foot jumper. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38-point explosion couldn’t overshadow Haliburton’s final shot.
MORE: 2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft
Haliburton is averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in the 2025 playoffs, stepping up as a key leader for Indiana. And now, thanks to his clutch play and clever one-liner, he’s got the internet and the NBA Finals on fire.
