Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton had a standout performance Wednesday night, possibly provoking the ire of the Detroit Pistons’ TV announcers in the process. Haliburton netted 30 points as the Pacers triumphed over the Pistons, 133-119. With just over three minutes left and the Pacers comfortably ahead by 11, tensions flared near midcourt as both teams exchanged words.
Official Suyash Mehta subsequently issued a technical foul to Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. In the FanDuel Sports Network Detroit booth, play-by-play commentator George Blaha highlighted Haliburton’s involvement in the incident. “Haliburton actually told him to call the tech and he did, after he was told by Tyrese to call it,” Blaha noted. He added that there were “words out there now between both sides… Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, too.”
Blaha continued with, “And Tyrese Haliburton never shuts up. Never.” Greg Kelser, the color analyst, agreed, stating, “No. He’s an agitator.” Blaha chimed in again, joking, “Tyrese would like to officiate, as well,” as Haliburton continued to engage with an official.
Detroit Pistons announcers George Blaha and Greg Kelser on Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
Blaha: Man, Tyrese Haliburton never shuts up. Never.
Kelser: No. He’s an agitator.
Blaha: Tyrese would like to officiate, as well. pic.twitter.com/R67hfZaBbT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 30, 2025
One could easily sense the frustration and irritation in the Pistons TV booth. Haliburton has previously drawn unflattering remarks from rival broadcasters, with New York Knicks MSG broadcaster Wally Szczerbiak once calling him a “wannabe fake All-Star.” During a game in late 2023 between the Knicks and Pacers in New York, Haliburton was seen repeatedly staring down Szczerbiak.
