John Haliburton, father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, isn't shy about his feelings on the New York Knicks' recent championship. In a fiery new interview, he's essentially put the league on notice: the Pacers are coming for revenge, and they'll be at full strength.

Speaking with NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, John Haliburton didn't mince words about the Knicks' title run. He argued that New York's first championship in 53 years came with an asterisk—because his son wasn't healthy enough to lead Indiana past them in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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"New York won the championship this year, but they won it because Indiana wasn't fully standing in their way at the very end," Haliburton said. "Next year, with Tyrese back, Indiana will be standing right there."

The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson's incredible 32.6 points per game in the Finals, celebrated with a massive parade through Manhattan. Fans even launched a Brunson River petition to honor their hero. But John Haliburton's comments add a new layer of tension to what's becoming one of the Eastern Conference's best rivalries.

Indiana and New York have developed a fierce playoff history. In 2024, the Pacers knocked the Knicks out in the second round. Then in 2025, they met again in the conference finals. Even without a fully healthy Tyrese, the Pacers pushed the Knicks to the brink, with Tyrese averaging 21.0 points and 11.5 assists per game alongside Pascal Siakam.

Now, with a summer of recovery and preparation ahead, John Haliburton's warning suggests the Pacers are already plotting their revenge. The Knicks, meanwhile, face their own offseason challenges, including a potential contract clash with Karl-Anthony Towns.

The basketball world is already buzzing about a potential third straight playoff meeting between these two hungry squads. If the Pacers can stay healthy, the Eastern Conference might have a new powerhouse ready to dethrone the defending champs.

For now, the Knicks can enjoy their parade. But John Haliburton's message is clear: next season, the real battle begins.