Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has stepped up in a big way after a Pacers fan was harassed by Knicks supporters in New York City following Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The fan, Hans Perez, was heckled and had trash bags thrown at him while walking near Madison Square Garden, simply for wearing a Haliburton jersey.
On Monday, Haliburton appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and surprised Perez with a special invitation.
“I want to personally bring you and a plus-one out here to Indiana for Game 4,” Haliburton told Perez. “Everyone in the organization wants to make sure you’re taken care of. Everyone on the team is excited to meet you.”
Perez, a New York firefighter and lifelong Pacers fan, had been supporting his team throughout the playoffs. However, after the Knicks’ Game 6 victory over the Boston Celtics, he found himself surrounded by a mob of Knicks fans who threw garbage at him and chased him down the street. The video of the incident quickly went viral, sparking outrage among NBA fans.
Perez, visibly moved by the offer, expressed his gratitude on the show.
“I just want to say thank you, Tyrese, man, you are awesome, the team is awesome, I appreciate that,” he said. “And man, let’s go Pacers!”
With the Eastern Conference Finals set to begin, the Pacers will look to channel this energy into their matchup against the Knicks. Game 1 tips off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, but all eyes will be on Game 4 in Indiana—where Perez will get the chance to cheer on his team in person.
