Sports · Basketball · 1 day ago
Haliburton says he wants to repair his relationship with Lillard
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton says he wants to repair his relationship with Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
The tension began in 2023, when Haliburton mimicked Lillard’s wrist-pointing “Dame Time” celebration after a key shot against Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA’s in-season tournament.
Haliburton said he was having fun but now thinks the gesture went too far, and that he regrets how their relationship changed.
He said Lillard had checked on him early in his career, and he hopes they can at least be cordial again.
Both players missed last season while recovering from torn Achilles tendons, but they are healthy again and played in preseason games.
Haliburton missed a chance to meet Lillard in Portland after falling ill with shingles.
The teams are scheduled to meet in Indiana on Dec.
17 and in Portland on Feb.
18, offering possible chances for them to talk.
Tyrese Haliburton says he regrets the damage to his relationship with Damian Lillard and hopes to speak with him.
The relationship became strained after Haliburton copied Lillard’s “Dame Time” celebration during a 2023 in-season tournament game.
Haliburton said he was young and caught up in the moment, and that his gesture was probably too much.
He said he missed a chance to meet Lillard in Portland after he came down with shingles.
The players could meet when Indiana hosts Portland on Dec. 17 or when the Pacers visit Portland on Feb. 18.
- Who
- Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
- What
- Haliburton says he regrets their strained relationship and would like to have a conversation with Lillard.
- When
- Haliburton discussed the relationship in an episode of The Zach Lowe Show published Oct. 9, 2026.
- Where
- The dispute began during the 2023 in-season tournament; possible meetings are scheduled in Indiana on Dec. 17 and Portland on Feb. 18.
- Why
- Haliburton copied Lillard’s “Dame Time” celebration after a key shot, which he said was probably too much.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I think what I do regret more than anything is what me and Dame's relationship has become
I would love to have a conversation [with Lillard] because I just think it became more than it ever needed to be
Put it on me. I was young, in the moment, I was having fun with it, but it was probably a little much. And whatever happened from there happened.
at least be cordial again
Haliburton copied Lillard’s “Dame Time” celebration after making a key 3-pointer against the Bucks in the semifinal.
Haliburton and Lillard suffered torn Achilles injuries and missed the following season.
Lillard returned to the Trail Blazers after being waived by the Bucks.
Haliburton discussed wanting to repair his relationship with Lillard on The Zach Lowe Show.
The Pacers are scheduled to host the Trail Blazers, offering a possible chance for the two to meet.
Indiana is scheduled to play at Portland.
- Players
- Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard
- Celebration
- Lillard’s “Dame Time” wrist gesture
- Origin
- 2023 in-season tournament semifinal
- Podcast
- The Zach Lowe Show
- Possible meeting
- Pacers host Trail Blazers on Dec. 17
- Other scheduled game
- Indiana at Portland on Feb. 18
Sources
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