Pacers Player Invites Fan After Incident
On May 19, 2025, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton made headlines when he invited dedicated fan Hans Perez to attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis. This kind gesture followed an unpleasant incident where Perez was targeted by opposing fans in New York City.
Incident in New York
During a recent visit to New York, Perez expressed his support for the Pacers while wearing a Haliburton jersey. Unfortunately, a group of New York Knicks fans harassed him, throwing trash and verbally taunting him. Video footage of the incident quickly spread online, prompting a response from the basketball community.
Support from Haliburton
After the incident gained notoriety, Perez appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and discussed his background as a firefighter and lifelong Pacers supporter. Haliburton made a surprise appearance, offering his support and inviting Perez to the game."Everybody in our organization wants to make sure you're taken care of," Haliburton stated, emphasizing the team's eagerness to welcome Perez during the playoffs.
Plans for Game 4
Perez expressed his appreciation for the invitation and indicated he would arrange time off from work to attend the game. His support for the Pacers remained evident as he led a chant of "Let’s Go Pacers" on the show. The upcoming series between the Pacers and Knicks is generating excitement among fans as they anticipate Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
