Tyrese Haliburton Says Pacers, Bucks 'Don't Like' Each Other Amid NBA Playoffs Series

As the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks engage in a playoff series that has been one-sided through the first two games, there's no love lost between the two teams, more than 16 months removed from their infamous game-ball incident.

Speaking to reporters after the Pacers' 123-115 win over the Bucks in Game 2 on Tuesday night, Tyrese Haliburton explained the two teams "don't like" each other.

"We don't have to sit here and act like it's any secret," Haliburton said. "We don't like them, they don't like us and that's just what it is. And I think they live for this, we live for this, so I could [not] care less. I'm out here just trying to help my team win a game."

The rivalry really took off during a six-day span in December 2023. The Pacers beat the Bucks in the semifinals of the first NBA Cup on Dec. 7.

Milwaukee got its revenge on Dec. 13 with a 140-126 victory in a game highlighted by Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring a franchise-record 64 points.

The performance was overshadowed by Antetokounmpo running toward the Pacers' locker room afterward following a heated on-court discussion with Haliburton and other members of the Pacers as he was trying to recover the game ball.

Things got chippy between the two teams in Game 1 on Saturday when Haliburton and Damian Lillard, who wasn't even playing, were seen trash-talking each other late in the fourth quarter.

They were back at it again in Game 2 when Lillard to exception to what he thought was Haliburton shoving him down on a drive to the basket, but the officials didn't call a foul on the Pacers superstar.

Haliburton downplayed any specific issues with Lillard, saying the verbal exchanges are the result of two competitive people trying to help their team win.

"Just competitors," Haliburton said. "He wants to win, I want to win. It's the highest level. We're in the highest level in the most contentious moment here in the playoffs."

The Pacers have bragging rights over the Bucks right now. They held serve on their home court with two wins as the series shifts to Milwaukee with the Bucks trying to get back into it.

Game 3 between the Pacers and Bucks will be played on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.