Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton walked straight into a lion’s den Sunday night at MetLife Stadium during WWE SummerSlam. Still nursing his way back from Achilles tendon surgery, the point guard seemed to relish every single boo that rained down from the New York and New Jersey crowd.
When Basketball Meets Wrestling Drama
You’ve got to hand it to Haliburton – the guy knows how to work a crowd. A die-hard wrestling fan himself, he showed up for night two of WWE SummerSlam at the Meadowlands, and when his face lit up the big screen, the arena erupted in disapproval. But instead of shrinking away, Haliburton grinned like he’d just hit a game-winner, rubbing his hands together and practically begging for more abuse from the stands.
WWE’s Michael Cole made sure to spotlight the Pacers guard during commentary, prompting Haliburton to mouth “I love you too” with the kind of theatrical flair that would make any heel wrestler proud.
Boot-Wearing Boos and Crutch-Assisted Combat
The hostility started early. Video footage caught Haliburton getting jeered while hobbling across the stadium floor in his walking boot, well before the main card even began. But the real entertainment came during the night’s biggest match – when Cody Rhodes and John Cena battled for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
In a moment that blurred the lines between sports and entertainment, Cena spotted Haliburton in the crowd and delivered his signature “you can’t see me” gesture before grabbing one of the basketball player’s crutches to use as a weapon against Rhodes. Talk about making the most of your ringside seats.
Why New York Can’t Stand This Guy
The venom isn’t random – it stems from some genuine basketball bad blood between the Knicks and Pacers. Haliburton played a starring role in Indiana’s Eastern Conference Finals victory over New York earlier this season, turning himself into public enemy number one in the process.
The real kicker came in Game 1, when Haliburton nailed what appeared to be a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, then had the audacity to mimic Reggie Miller’s infamous choking gesture toward the crowd. Never mind that replay review downgraded his shot to two points – the damage was done. Knicks fans had their newest villain, and he wore number 0 for Indiana.
Star-Studded Crowd Gets Mixed Reception
Haliburton wasn’t the only sports figure drawing crowd reactions that night. New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson also found himself on the receiving end of some boos, proving that MetLife Stadium fans weren’t in a particularly welcoming mood.
What made Haliburton’s evening special was his complete embrace of the villain role. Rather than trying to win over hostile fans, he leaned into their hatred, creating one of those perfect crossover moments where basketball rivalry spilled into wrestling theater. For someone who clearly understands both sports entertainment and how to get under New York’s skin, it was a masterclass in heel work – even from the audience.
