© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader
Audio By Carbonatix
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is finally breaking his silence on the controversial “Haliban” nickname given to him by NBA Twitter.
During the Pacers’ playoff run over the summer, Haliburton was dubbed the “Haliban” as a reference to the terrorist group the Taliban when the Pacers played against the New York Knicks.
Eventually, fans began superimposing Haliburton’s face over Osama Bin Laden, which became a viral meme during the playoffs.
“A second 3 has hit the towers” pic.twitter.com/MXf4cNJZRj
— 285 Of Love (@285Slim) May 22, 2025
During a recent episode of Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Haliburton was asked about the Haliban nickname.
“It’s unfortunate,” Haliburton said while awkwardly laughing. “Obviously, the Taliban is a terrible group of people, and it’s unfortunate that that, on social media, has become the thing. Obviously, I could never publicly acknowledge it or respond [to it]. People will come into my Twitch chat and just spam that.”
Paul quickly asked, “They call you the Haliban because you’re a terrorist on the court? That’s the thing?”
Haliburton replied, “Yes, but we were in New York, unfortunately.”
The Indiana Pacers star says he doesn’t condone the nickname and will probably not address it again in the future.
“I do not condone that. At all. I can tell people don’t call me that, but that doesn’t stop. This is probably the only time I’ve ever acknowledged it and only time I’ll ever acknowledge it.”
Tyrese Haliburton reacts to “Haliban” nickname 😭💣 pic.twitter.com/hpCyXtMM7c
— IMPAULSIVE (@impaulsive) August 26, 2025