Tyrese Haliburton Wants to Repair Relationship With Damian Lillard After Dame Time Mockery

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton wants to repair his personal relationship with Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard after mocking Lillard’s signature celebration during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, si.com reported. Haliburton addressed the fractured dynamic during a recent appearance on The Zach Lowe Show, stating that while he has no regrets about the on-court moment for his organization, he wishes the bond between the two players had not deteriorated.

The 2023 In-Season Tournament Celebration That Sparked Tension

The rivalry intensified during the semifinals of the inaugural In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas, where Indiana defeated Milwaukee. Haliburton hit a key 3-pointer with under a minute remaining and celebrated by pointing to his wrist, mimicking Lillard’s trademark Dame Time gesture, according to theScore. The moment added fuel to an already growing competitive fire between the Central Division rivals.

Haliburton acknowledged that his youth and the heat of the moment played a role in the escalation. I was young and in the moment. I was having fun with it, but it was probably a little much, Haliburton said, as reported by si.com. While the gesture remains a celebrated highlight in Pacers franchise history, the guard admitted it likely contributed to the subsequent cooling of his rapport with Lillard.

A Longstanding Mentorship and Shared Jersey Number

Before their playoff battles and tournament clashes, Lillard served as a key mentor to the younger guard. Haliburton noted that Lillard frequently checked in on him during his early professional years, particularly following his trade from the Sacramento Kings to Indiana in 2022, as detailed by theScore.

The connection extended even to jersey numbers. Haliburton sought Lillard’s explicit permission before having the Pacers introduce him as No. O rather than No. Zero. Lillard popularized the distinct pronunciation as a tribute to his hometown of Oakland, and Haliburton adopted the same presentation to honor his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, si.com reported.

Missed Chances to Reconnect and Future Matchups

Both guards missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season following torn Achilles tendons sustained during the 2025 playoffs. Haliburton suffered his injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, while Lillard was sidelined in Game 4 of Milwaukee’s first-round series against Indiana, according to theScore. During their concurrent recoveries, Haliburton planned to visit Lillard in Portland, but a bout of shingles forced him to cancel the trip, si.com reported.

The Pacers are scheduled to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 17, with a subsequent meeting in Portland on Feb. 18, giving the players potential opportunities to cross paths on the court once again, theScore reported. Haliburton remains hopeful that a conversation can clear the air between them.

It’s a guy that I would love to at least be cordial with again, because obviously there’s a lot of stuff going on in the playoffs, but it’s love on my end for sure.

Tyrese Haliburton