Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns dropped a merciless clap back postgame about Tyrese Haliburton‘s unleashing of Reggie Miller’s infamous “choke” celebration after what looked like a back-breaking buzzer-beater at Madison Square Garden.
The Pacers guard, believing he’d just iced Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, thrust his hand to his throat in Miller’s iconic gesture, only to see the replay confirm his foot was on the line, downgrading the shot and sending the contest into overtime.
What followed wasn’t just another blown call. It set the stage for a viral social-media showdown when Knicks center Towns delivered a scathing one-liner in response to the celebration clip hours later, reminding everyone that the series was far from decided.
Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns Strikes Back at Haliburton’s Premature Choke Sign
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, the Knicks appeared in total control, leading by 14 points with under three minutes remaining in regulation.
But Aaron Nesmith caught fire, draining five triples in the final 3:15 to cut the deficit to two. With a few seconds on the clock, Haliburton created space with a step-back just inside the arc and fired a high-arching shot as the horn sounded.
The ball teetered on the back rim, hung suspended in gravity’s hold, then finally dropped through the net. Haliburton dashed to the sideline and made the “choke” gesture. An unmistakable tribute to Reggie Miller’s famous 1994 taunt.
After the premature choke sign, Haliburton finished with 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith ended up with 30 on 8-for-9 three-point shooting.
In overtime, the Pacers outpaced New York 13-10, sealing a 138-135 victory on an Andrew Nembhard go-ahead layup with 26 seconds to play. Jalen Brunson poured in 43 points, and Towns added 35 and 12 rebounds, but missed free throws by Towns and OG Anunoby in the final minute magnified the collapse.
Following this, @NBA_NewYork’s X account dropped post where Towns was asked about the ‘historic similatities’. Towns fired back, “We’re not here to repeat history. We’re here to make history,” reminding everyone that Haliburton’s premature fireworks came before any series-clinching triumph.
Q: “Do you think about the historic similarities, Tyrese Haliburton choke gesture, Reggie Miller on the call?”
KAT: “We’re not here to repeat history. We’re here to make history” pic.twitter.com/4KRtbZd25f
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 22, 2025
Towns’ terse jab sent Twitter into overdrive as fans dissected every word of the exchange. The Knicks center further asserted his team’s determination “to step up” for the upcoming games.
“Like you said, we played 46 good minutes. Those two minutes is where we lost the game, and that’s on all of us. We’ve all got to be better. We’ve all got to step up to the plate,” Towns added.
In return, Haliburton clarified during the postgame media session that he “would not have done it,” but it felt right at the moment.
“If I would’ve known it was a two, I would not have done it. I might have wasted it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura farming. I don’t plan on using it again,” Haliburton said.
A Lookback Into a Storied Miller-Lee Beef
This exchange taps into a rivalry as storied as any in NBA history. From Patrick Ewing’s battles with Reggie Miller to the Spike Lee-Miller court-side theatrics of the ’90s, Knicks versus Pacers has always thrived on bravado and gamesmanship.
Haliburton’s “choke” gesture was a reminder for every basketball aficionado about Miller’s infamous “choke” sign to Knicks’ die-hard fan, Spike Lee. A legendary rivalry between a decorated NBA veteran and a fan that would echo through generations. The beef continued from the 90s till Miller’s retirement from professional basketball following the 2004-05 season.
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But the legacy was carried forward by upcoming Knicks-Pacers players—something nobody saw coming. Now, Towns has embraced that legacy, trading jabs in the digital arena much like Miller did in person.
Game 2 looms Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where the series shifts to a best-of-seven duel. Spectators await to see if New York will reclaim home-court advantage.