NBA

NBA Drama: Lillard & Haliburton Talk Trash In Game 1

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Anthony Cardenas
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Anthony Cardenas Sports Editor

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Published19 Apr 2025

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The first official game of the 2025 Eastern Conference matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indian Pacers. It was a blowout throughout most of the game, with Indiana now taking a series lead, but there were fireworks towards the end of the game between Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard.

Lillard, Haliburton Continue Their Beef

It is unknown exactly what prompted the confrontation, but we know that the two players have been less than fond of each other in the past. With the Pacers up by 15 and less than two minutes remaining in the game, both teams headed to their benches during a timeout. Lillard, who was inactive due to his shoulder ailment, walked onto the court and engaged in a conversation with Haliburton.

What exactly was said was unclear, but it didn’t take a professional lip-reader to make out Lillard saying “You gon’ see” repeatedly.

The confrontation spilled over with other players, and the two teams continued heated discussions while the referees reviewed an unrelated incident. Things seemed to be kept in competitive spirits, as there were no physical altercations or technical fouls handed out. The Pacers wound up winning the game by a score of 117-98.

This Was Not Their First Confrontation

It is a continuation of a beef that was born a few years back. In the 2023 In-Season Tournament Final between the Bucks and Pacers, Haliburton hit a clutch shot, and proceeded to mimic the “Dame Time” celebration that Lillard is well known for.

Lillard said that he respected the celebration, but warned the young star to be “careful” and “humble”.

Five months later, the two had a small on-court confrontation. In last year’s first round playoff series between the two sides, Haliburton and Lillard got into a heated exchange, which featured more trash talk.

Damian Lillard is reportedly set to return in either Game 2 or Game 3 of the current series. He has been out for the last three weeks while dealing with a blood clot.