The 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers spilled over into the WWE realm during Friday Night’s SmackDown. Wrestler Logan Paul made a grand entrance with Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton for his Money in the Bank qualifying match against LA Knight and Santos Escobar at Madison Square Garden. As Haliburton made his way to the ring with Paul, he spotted Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in the audience and stepped to him.
In May, the Pacers defeated the Knicks in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Brunson had exited that game in the third quarter due to a broken hand. Haliburton tried to brush past Brunson on Friday, but the guard was unintimidated, leading to a stare-down between the two. Indiana’s star guard retrieved Paul’s brass knuckles as the match progressed, causing Brunson to take action. The two exchanged words before being separated by WWE officials, with “MVP!” chants for Brunson erupting in the Garden.
Eventually, Haliburton entered the ring to join forces with Paul, but Brunson slid in with a steel chair and exchanged words with the Pacers All-Star. This led to Knight and Brunson forcing Haliburton and Paul out of the ring, much to the delight of the Madison Square Garden crowd. Brunson later shared his experience on social media, confirming that his previously injured hand felt fine.