John Mellencamp was not happy with Pat McAfee's pregame antics before Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks Tuesday night.
On Thursday, Mellencamp issued an apology on social media for McAfee's speech to the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which included him taunting celebrity Knicks fans Spike Lee, Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller.
"'Hoosier Hospitality...I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don't know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team - and in turn, support our team," Mellencamp wrote. "The audience booed these people. I'd say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could say it's poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I've lived here my entire life.
"On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I'm sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown."
McAfee, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and is known for speaking freely on his daily ESPN show, was given the microphone before tipoff Tuesday and proceeded to hype up the home crowd.
pic.twitter.com/fscxusrh3D
— John Mellencamp (@johnmellencamp) May 29, 2025
"Indianapolis, Indiana, we got some bigwigs from the big city in the building. Spike Lee is here. Ben Stiller is here. Timothée Chalamet is here. Let's send these sons of b-----s back to New York," McAfee said.
Stiller, who has been attending road contests throughout the Knicks' playoff run, admitted after the game he wasn't happy with McAfee's performance.
"Yes. Weird. We were happy to be there and cheer our team and other than that Indy fans were awesome. #KNICKSIN7," the longtime actor wrote on X/Twitter.
Still, Mellencamp probably didn't need to personally apologize on behalf of McAfee and his home state. It comes off a tad sanctimonious.
Game 5 between the Pacers and Knicks is set for tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT. If Indiana wins, they will advance to their first NBA Finals in 25 years.
Should the Knicks stave off elimination, Game 6 in Indianapolis will take place Saturday night.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM.