The quick ejection of Indiana’s James Johnson in the Pacers’ Game 6 win seemed like a minor moment in an otherwise perfect victory for the Pacers. However, his former Miami teammate Udonis Haslem voiced his approval following Johnson’s exit.
Former Miami Heat Star Udonis Haslem Praises Johnson’s Ejection as Sign Pacers Can Win NBA Finals
The commanding win by the Indiana Pacers over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, June 19, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals had several notable moments. One of them was Pacers forward James Johnson getting ejected in the final minutes of the game.
He was thrown out and given a technical foul after aggressively shoving Thunder guard Dillon Jones. That moment was praised by former Miami Heat forward and ESPN analyst Udonis Haslem on Friday morning’s episode of “Get Up.”
.@ThisIsUD is all in on the Pacers closing it out in Game 7 😤
“The power of the brotherhood has brought this team together.” pic.twitter.com/3Phvqom8cK — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 20, 2025
“You see my boy James Johnson get in last night,” Haslem said during the segment after declaring that he believes Indiana can win Game 7 and the championship. “Thirty seconds, got kicked out. It was a proud dad moment,” he added.
Johnson, a 16-year veteran, played with Haslem during his three years with the Miami Heat from 2016 through part of the 2019-20 season. Haslem was serving as both an enforcer and mentor in his final years with the Heat, a role Johnson appreciated. Known for his mixed martial arts background, Johnson is often called “the most feared man in the NBA.”
Haslem said the moment only reinforced his belief that the Pacers can win the series. He cited “the leadership, the coaching, the brotherhood and the connection,” despite the fact that the team doesn’t have a “superstar.”
Johnson appeared on Haslem’s “The OGs” podcast last year, where he reflected on his career, the Miami native’s influence, and how Haslem once confronted him when he played for the Toronto Raptors.
“I don’t know if you remember this, but I’m guardin’ D-Wade and we’re in Toronto, I’m playing with the Raptors at this time,” Johnson said.
“And I’m guardin’ D-Wade, and he’s playin’ with the ball up top, and he hit me in the forehead with that joint and then tried to sweep by when he did that. I kind of like scraped his eyes, and I saw you. You got up, and you was like, ‘Nah, we ain’t playin’ that.’ You took that role on, like, ‘Nah J, now you gotta see me. Forget D-Wade.’”
Johnson had appeared in 12 games this season before Thursday, averaging just 3.1 points. Clips of his ejection went viral after the game, adding more fuel to what’s expected to be a fiery deciding game of the Finals on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
