Fans Cry Foul Over Pascal Siakam News on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Pacers advanced to the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night with a 125-108 win over the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.
The big win included stellar performances from Pascal Siakam, who led the Pacers in scoring, and Tyrese Haliburton, who was next up on the scorer’s sheet.
Siakam poured in 31 points in 36 minutes, helping to cap off a series during which he led all Pacers in points per game average.
Afterward, Siakam was awarded the MVP, a decision that didn’t sit well with a group of NBA fans on X who voiced their displeasure afterward.
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam received five of nine possible votes for Eastern Conference Finals MVP, beating out Haliburton for the honor.
Not everyone was on board with the decision as many fans took to X to voice their displeasure.
“Robbed Tyrese,” one fan said.
“Why the hell are a bunch of sports reporters deciding the MVP?!?!” one fan said.
“This should be a panel of former NBA players that don’t have any agenda,” they added.
“Dude disrespected again,” another said of Haliburton, who racked up assists during his team’s ECF win over the Knicks.
Are we being fr bruh Pascal played so well but it should’ve been Hali
— KKA (@PKKANBA) June 1, 2025
“Pacers fans about to argue like Celtics fans last year lol,” another added.
The Pacers will hit the road for Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on Thursday, a series that will pit two of the league’s budding superstars against each other in Haliburton and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander.
Alexander has been criticized for his playing style which fans say is oftentimes based on “foul baiting” to get free throw attempts.
He won the regular season MVP award and helped the Thunder knock off the Minnesota Timberwolves four games to one in the Western Conference Finals.
Related: John Haliburton’s Treatment After Pacers’ Game 6 Win Turns Heads on Saturday
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.