In the high-octane world of NBA playoff basketball, emotions run high, and every move โ on and off the court โ is amplified under the microscope of fans, media, and teammates alike. But after an unforgettable Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton made a light-hearted yet telling declaration: the โchokeโ celebration is officially retired.
Thatโs right โ after helping the Indiana Pacers pull off a stunning overtime comeback to take a 1โ0 series lead, Haliburton shared with reporters (with a grin on his face) that heโs hanging up the โchoke cellyโ for good.
What Is the Choke Celly?
For those just catching up, the โchoke cellyโ โ short for celebration โ is the gesture where a player wraps his hands around his own neck, a taunt traditionally used to call out an opponent for โchokingโ under pressure. Itโs brash, itโs bold, and when used at the right moment, it can spark fireworks.
Tyrese Haliburton broke out the celebration during the Pacers’ second-round win over the Knicks, after a particularly clutch performance silenced a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd. It became a viral moment, turning the quiet, composed floor general into a symbol of swagger and confidence. Memes exploded. Fans embraced it. But not everyone loved it.
After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals โ a much tighter, harder-fought battle โ Haliburton seemed to realize the moment called for something different.
โIโm retiring the choke celly,โ he said with a chuckle during the postgame presser. โIt had its moment. It was fun. But I think Iโve got my point across.โ
Growing Into the Moment
Haliburtonโs statement might have been made in jest, but it also reflected a deeper shift in his game โ and his mindset. The 24-year-old has emerged as the face of the Pacersโ playoff run, not just with his jaw-dropping stat lines, but with his leadership, maturity, and poise under pressure.
In Game 1 of the ECF, Haliburton led all scorers with 31 points, adding 11 assists and 6 rebounds. He buried a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation and followed it up with a fearless drive to the rim in overtime to give Indiana a late lead. It wasnโt just a star performance โ it was a statement that he belongs on this stage.
And more than ever, Haliburton is showing he understands the weight of that stage.
โEvery game is a war,โ he said. โYou donโt get many chances at this level. Youโve got to respect the game, respect your opponents, and just keep finding ways to win.โ
The retirement of the choke celly isnโt about losing personality โ Haliburton still cracks jokes, plays with joy, and hypes up his teammates with viral-worthy celebrations. But itโs also a reflection of a young star growing into the full gravity of playoff basketball.
From Underdog to Alpha
When the Pacers acquired Haliburton from the Kings in 2022, they knew they were getting a high-IQ guard with tons of upside. What they didnโt know was how fast he would transform into the leader of a new era in Indiana basketball.
This postseason, heโs been nothing short of spectacular. Heโs averaging over 20 points and 10 assists per game, shooting with confidence, defending better than ever, and most importantly, delivering in clutch moments. Whether itโs pushing the pace in transition or running the offense with surgical precision in halfcourt sets, Tyrese is in full command.
And yet, even with his rising star, Haliburton keeps it real. Heโs still the same guy cracking jokes with teammates, dapping up fans courtside, and dropping anime references in interviews. But now, thereโs a fire beneath that smile. A hunger.
โIโm just trying to win,โ he said. โIโve never been here before, none of us have really. But we believe in each other. We believe we can win the whole thing.โ
Fan Reactions and the Culture Shift
Fans were quick to pick up on the โretirementโ announcement. Social media lit up with reactions, from memes of Tyrese placing the choke celly in a metaphorical trophy case to fan-made edits of him passing it off to someone else.
But beneath the humor was a sense of respect โ for a player who knows when to show out and when to lock in.
โHeโs maturing in real-time,โ one fan tweeted. โStill having fun, but he knows this is serious business now. Gotta love it.โ
The Pacersโ locker room, too, has embraced the new tone. Veteran Pascal Siakam, who knows a thing or two about championship runs from his time in Toronto, praised Haliburtonโs leadership.
โHeโs got the game, and heโs got the mind,โ Siakam said. โHe knows when to turn it up and when to cool it down. Thatโs what you need to go far.โ
The Road Ahead
With Game 1 in the books and the Pacers holding a surprise lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, the series is far from over. But Indiana has momentum โ and more importantly, they have a star in Tyrese Haliburton who continues to rise to the occasion.
As for the choke celly? It had its moment. It made its impact. And now, like any good celebration, it bows out on top.
โIโve got some new moves in the bag,โ Haliburton teased. โJust wait for Game 2.โ
If his Game 1 performance is anything to go by, fans โ and defenders โ should be very, very nervous.
