On May 27, 2025, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis was electric with playoff energy as the Indiana Pacers faced the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. With the Pacers leading the series 2-1, the stakes were high, and the atmosphere was charged. But it was ESPN personality and former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee who turned the night into a spectacle, delivering a WWE-style promo that had the crowd roaring and social media buzzing. Targeting celebrity Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet, McAfee’s unforgettable line—“Let’s send these sons of bitches back to New York with their ears ringing!”—set the tone for a raucous Pacers victory. Here’s how the moment unfolded and why it became the talk of the NBA.
The Stage Is Set
Game 4 was a pivotal moment in the series, with the Pacers looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage. The presence of high-profile Knicks fans added an extra layer of drama. Spike Lee, a longtime Knicks superfan known for his courtside antics, was joined by actors Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet, who had made the trip from New York to cheer on their team. The celebrity contingent, which also included rapper 50 Cent and others, gave Gainbridge Fieldhouse a Madison Square Garden vibe, with Knicks colors dotting the stands.
Enter Pat McAfee, an Indianapolis sports icon and a vocal Pacers supporter. Known for his larger-than-life personality on The Pat McAfee Show and his WWE commentary, McAfee was handed the microphone during a game break in the fourth quarter to fire up the crowd. What followed was a masterclass in fan engagement, blending hometown pride with a playful jab at the visiting celebrities.
The Promo Heard ‘Round the NBA
As the Gainbridge Fieldhouse faithful waited for the game to resume, McAfee seized the moment. “Indianapolis, Indiana, we’ve got some bigwigs from the big city in the building!” he bellowed, instantly grabbing the crowd’s attention. He then called out the Knicks’ celebrity trio: “Spike Lee is here!” Boos. “Ben Stiller is here!” Louder boos. “Timothée Chalamet is here!” Deafening boos. Then came the knockout punch: “Let’s send these sons of bitches back to New York with their ears ringing! Let’s turn this shit up!”
The crowd erupted, fueled by McAfee’s infectious energy and unfiltered trash talk. Posts on X captured the moment’s virality, with clips of the speech spreading like wildfire. Pacers players on the bench were seen grinning, clearly energized by McAfee’s antics.
McAfee’s promo wasn’t just a crowd-pleaser; it was a strategic nod to the Pacers’ underdog mentality against the star-studded Knicks fanbase. His WWE-honed charisma—amplified by the presence of his boss, WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, in the stands—gave the moment a theatrical flair that resonated far beyond Indianapolis.
The Celebrity Response
The targeted Knicks fans took McAfee’s barbs in stride. Ben Stiller, a diehard Knicks supporter, responded on X with good-natured humor: “Yes. Weird. We were happy to be there and cheer our team and other than that Indy fans were awesome. #KNICKSIN7.” Stiller’s tweet acknowledged the hostile reception while praising the Pacers’ fanbase, showing his knack for staying above the fray. Spike Lee, no stranger to courtside taunts, and Chalamet, a rising Knicks regular, didn’t publicly respond, but their presence added fuel to the rivalry narrative.
Interestingly, the night also saw a lighter moment involving Chalamet and Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson. Chalamet expressed his playful desire to star in a biopic about Johnson, a nod to a running joke among Knicks fans. The actor seized the chance to connect with Johnson postgame, introduced by Stiller, adding a wholesome counterpoint to McAfee’s fiery callout.
The Game and Its Aftermath
McAfee’s promo seemed to work its magic. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s historic 32-point triple-double (with zero turnovers, a first in NBA playoff history), dominated the Knicks 130-121, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. The victory was especially poignant as it marked the return of Haliburton’s father, John, to Gainbridge Fieldhouse after a temporary ban following an altercation in an earlier series.
Social media lit up with reactions to McAfee’s speech. Fans and analysts praised his ability to rally the crowd, with some noting that the promo “got the Pacers fans (and some of the players) going,” highlighting its impact on the game’s atmosphere.
Why It Mattered
McAfee’s outburst wasn’t just about trolling celebrities; it was a celebration of Indiana’s sports culture and a middle finger to the perception of New York’s dominance. His words tapped into the heart of sports rivalries, where fan passion and local pride collide with the glitz of celebrity culture.
For McAfee, a close friend of Haliburton and a fixture in Indianapolis sports, the moment was personal. His ties to the Pacers, including hosting Haliburton on his show and inviting a fan harassed by Knicks supporters to Game 4, underscored his role as the city’s hype man. The promo also hinted at McAfee’s growing presence in NBA media, with some suggesting he could become a bigger figure in basketball coverage.
Looking Ahead
As the series shifts back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5, the Knicks face a do-or-die moment, trailing 3-1. Stiller, Lee, and Chalamet will likely be courtside, hoping for a comeback. Meanwhile, McAfee’s words have set the stage for an even more intense Game 6 in Indianapolis, where he’s sure to have more “harsh words ready to go.”
In a playoff series defined by star power—on and off the court—Pat McAfee’s promo was a reminder that sports are as much about the fans as the players. His unfiltered, NSFW rallying cry turned a routine game break into a viral moment, proving once again that in Indianapolis, the Pacers’ faithful, led by their loudest voice, won’t go down without a fight. For one night, at least, Indianapolis owned the spotlight—and sent those “sons of bitches” back to New York with their ears ringing.
