Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton expecting fine for vulgar celebration that got LeBron James punished in 2021

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton expecting fine for vulgar celebration that got LeBron James punished in 2021

A tradition unlike any other, the ‘Big Balls’ dance has returned to the NBA.

This time it was Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton who celebrated Tuesday’s thrilling game-winning 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers by pretending to have gigantic gonads.

And while many expect the NBA will fine the All-Star guard, he didn’t seem to care after pushing the Pacers to a 2-0 lead with the second-round playoff series heading back to Indianapolis.

‘I’ve been waiting for that, man,’ Haliburton told reporters in Cleveland after his 19-point effort. ‘It was just right in the moment. I’ll take that fine gladly.’

The dance originated with the 1994 sequel to the film Major League, but became popularized in the NBA by Sam Cᴀssell, a journeyman guard who now serves as a Boston Celtics ᴀssistant coach.

Since then it has been occasionally recreated by a number of famous NBA stars, including LeBron James, who incurred a $15,000 fine for doing the dance in a 2021 win over the Pacers.

TYRESE HALIBURTON WINS GAME 2 FOR THE PACERS 😱🤯WHAT. A. WILD. PLAY. pic.twitter.com/rFsjZmtrBz

— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2025 Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton celebrated Tuesday's thrilling game-winning 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers by pretending to have gigantic gonads

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton celebrated Tuesday’s thrilling game-winning 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers by pretending to have gigantic gonads

LeBron James incurred a $1,500 fine in 2021 for performing a similar gesture in Indianapolis

LeBron James incurred a $1,500 fine in 2021 for performing a similar gesture in Indianapolis

Haliburton (center) celebrates the game-winner with Aaron Nesmith (left) and Myles Turner

Haliburton (center) celebrates the game-winner with Aaron Nesmith (left) and Myles Turner

Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark were among those left in shock by Haliburton after he gave the underdog Pacers a 120-119 win by draining a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining.

‘TY!!!!!!!! WHAT A WIN !!!!!! @Pacers,’ Caitlin Clark wrote on social media. The former No 1 overall pick plays for Indiana’s WNBA team, the Fever.

Mahomes also took to X to praise Haliburton. ‘Wow!!’ the Chiefs quarterback wrote alongside the laughing emoji.

It was Haliburton’s second last-gasp game-winner of this postseason after he eliminated the Bucks in similarly dramatic circumstances. That victory was tainted by Haliburton’s father, who was seen getting in the face of Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the game winner.

The elder Haliburton has since agreed to stay away from the team.

Tyrese Haliburton on his “big balls” celebration 💀 “I’ve been waiting for that, man. It was just right in the moment. I’ll take that fine gladly” (h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/BkW0dKgJ0h

— Fullcourtpᴀss (@Fullcourtpᴀss) May 7, 2025 The dance originated with the 1994 sequel to Major League (pictured) The dance became popularized in the NBA by Sam Cᴀssell (pictured), a journeyman guard who now serves as 76ers ᴀssistant

The dance originated with the 1994 sequel to Major League (left), but became popularized in the NBA by Sam Cᴀssell (right), a journeyman guard who now serves as a Celtics ᴀssistant

On Tuesday, Haliburton scored 11 of his 19 points in the final frame as the Pacers erased what had been a 20-point lead.

After Andrew Nembhard stole an inbounds pᴀss by Cleveland’s Max Strus with 27.5 seconds remaining, Indiana tried to find a potential tying 3-pointer before Haliburton drove inside and got fouled.

He would make the first free throw before missing the second. However, Haliburton got the offensive rebound and dribbled out to the 3-point line, where he drained the game winner from the top of the key.

Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith led No. 4 seed Indiana with 23 points apiece.

It’s the first time the Pacers have won the first two games of a playoff series on the road since a 1994 first-round set against Orlando.

Remarkably, the home team has yet to win a single game in the second round of the NBA playoffs, with Boston, Cleveland, Oklahoma City and Minnesota going a combined 0-5 thus far.

Related Posts

Humiliating moment Tyrese Haliburton looks poised to get MVP… only to be snubbed in favor of Pacers teammate

Humiliating moment Tyrese Haliburton looks poised to get MVP… only to be snubbed in favor of Pacers teammate

That tired old proverb about the dangers of ᴀssumptions resurfaced after the Indiana Pacers clinched the Eastern Conference Finals with a 125-108 Game 6 win over the…

Pacers star Pascal Siakam clashes with reporter in toe-curling exchange after Knicks loss

Pacers star Pascal Siakam clashes with reporter in toe-curling exchange after Knicks loss

Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam was caught in a heated back-and-forth with a reporter following Thursday’s Game 5 defeat to the New York Knicks.  Siakam and the Pacers…

Spike Lee reveals dramatic sacrifice he would make for his beloved Knicks to win NBA Championship

Spike Lee reveals dramatic sacrifice he would make for his beloved Knicks to win NBA Championship

Director and New York Knicks superfan Spike Lee admitted he would resort to desperate measures to watch his beloved team clinch the NBA championship.  The award-winning filmmaker…

BREAKING NEWSKnicks stay alive with crucial Game 5 win over the Pacers as celebrity fans dream of miraculous series comeback

BREAKING NEWSKnicks stay alive with crucial Game 5 win over the Pacers as celebrity fans dream of miraculous series comeback

Shortly after tip-off on Thursday night, New Yorkers swarmed the streets around Madison Square Garden for a perfect glimpse of night falling. They call it Manhattanhenge and…

NBA star Klay Thompson suffers heartbreaking personal loss

NBA star Klay Thompson suffers heartbreaking personal loss

NBA star Klay Thompson has suffered a heartbreaking personal loss after his team failed to make it to the postseason.  The 35-year-old’s beloved dog, Rocco, who has…

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal hilariously reveals why he pays ,000 to get PEDICURES and his toenails painted: ‘I do like sparkles and designs!’

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal hilariously reveals why he pays $1,000 to get PEDICURES and his toenails painted: ‘I do like sparkles and designs!’

Most watched Sport videos When asked how much he pays for pedicures, Shaquille O’Neal revealed not only the rate but what he pays for and why. On…