Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam put a controversial reporter in his place after a tough Game 5 loss against the New York Knicks.
The Pacers entered Madison Square Garden on Thursday night knowing a win would secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
But New York did enough to stay alive and secured a 111-94 victory, which concluded with fans in the arena chanting ‘Knicks in 7! Knicks in 7!’ as the series was pulled back to 3-2.
Post-game, Siakam admitted the Knicks ‘played harder’ than the Pacers — days after the team was accused of lacking a ‘killer instinct’ by Shaquille O’Neal.
That, apparently, was unacceptable for Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel.
During the media conference, he repeatedly pressed the three-time NBA All-Star on why he thought the Knicks outplayed the Pacers — and why he allowed that to happen.
“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” Siakam fired back, when asked how it was ‘possible’ Indiana were outplayed.
“They played harder than us. We played hard, they played harder. What’s your point? I don’t get it.
“That happens in a game, that’s basketball.”
As Doyel doubled down on his question, Siakam became increasingly more agitated.
He continued: “You good bro? You’re looking for something, I know. But damn. What else do you want me to tell you?”
The NBA star then proceeded to ask someone off-camera what the reporter’s name was, and a voice responded that it was Doyel from the Indy Star.
Siakam was taken aback by questions from one reporter during his press conferenceX: Bleacher Report He let out a smile when realising he was being questioned by controversial columnist DoyelX: Bleacher Report“Ohh,” Siakam responded, with a chuckle.
This was not the first run in that Doyel has had with a basketball star.
Last year, he was suspended for two weeks by his outlet — and banned from Indiana Fever games — after directing a creepy toward rookie Caitlin Clark.
He made a heart gesture with his hands — something the WNBA star used to do for her family during college basketball games at Iowa — and later said, ‘Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.’
The exchange went viral, with many people blasting the columnist’s conduct.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy described Doyel’s behavior last year as ‘nauseating’ and other journalists, including CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed, called for him to lose his credentials.
Doyel was banned from Fever games last year after an interaction with ClarkGettyIn a follow-up column, Doyel apologized to Clark, admitted his conduct was ‘ignorant’ and that he ‘crossed’ the line.
But once again on Thursday night, his interaction with Siakam drew criticism on social media.
“Gregg Doyel might be the biggest buffoon in Indy sports media history,” one fan wrote, responding to the clip.
“It’s always Gregg Doyel…” another said.
“Usually players overreact, but in this case, what was the reporter’s deal?” a third asked.
“Reporters should be fined and suspended for dumb a** questions,” a fourth suggested.
Siakam finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists against the Knicks, before getting into it with Doyel post-game.
Led by ‘clutch king’ Tyrese Haliburton, The Pacers will have another chance to close out the Eastern Conference Finals series on Saturday in Indiana, where columnist Doyel will no doubt be watching closely.
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