Indiana Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton Crowned ESPY’s Villain of the Year After Electrifying and Polarizing 2024 NBA Playoff Run

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has officially been named the ESPY’s 2025 “Villain of the Year,” a tongue-in-cheek but highly discussed award that celebrates the most polarizing athlete in sports over the past year. The recognition comes in the wake of Haliburton’s fiery postseason performance and unapologetic swagger that left opposing fanbases seething and Pacers fans rallying around their franchise cornerstone.

The ESPY Awards, hosted by ESPN, introduced the Villain of the Year category in 2022 as a nod to sports’ most controversial figures—those who aren’t afraid to embrace being booed, mocked, and feared. This year, Haliburton beat out stiff competition including NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, MLB slugger Bryce Harper, and soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Haliburton’s transformation from respected All-Star to full-blown hardwood antagonist began during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, where the Pacers stunned the basketball world by reaching the NBA Finals as a six-seed. The team’s Cinderella run was fueled in large part by Haliburton’s playmaking brilliance, clutch shooting, and, most notably, his penchant for trash talk, celebrations, and cold-blooded fourth-quarter moments that seemed designed to get under his opponents’ skin.

What made Haliburton such a perfect choice for the award was the very duality of his public image. In Indiana, he’s a beloved hero—smiling, engaging with fans, and proudly representing the franchise’s future. Elsewhere, particularly in cities like New York, Milwaukee, and Boston, he became the player fans loved to hate.

It started in the second round against the New York Knicks. With Madison Square Garden as the backdrop, Haliburton delighted in silencing the raucous crowd. He dropped a 26-point, 14-assist gem in Game 3, punctuating big plays with theatrics that included mock celebrations and memorable taunts. His three-point goggles became a viral moment. Knicks fans dubbed him “Public Enemy No. 1” after he stared down their bench following a dagger three-pointer.

Then came the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. The series was already emotionally charged with Giannis Antetokounmpo returning from injury and Milwaukee trying to reclaim its spot atop the East. Haliburton embraced the villain role, hitting multiple late-game shots and walking off the court to a chorus of boos. When asked postgame about the jeers, he smirked and simply said, “They don’t boo nobodies.”

That one line became the defining quote of his playoff journey—shared on social media, debated on talk shows, and printed on Pacers fan merchandise. It was the moment Haliburton leaned into the role that would ultimately win him the ESPY.

Even in the Finals against the powerhouse Denver Nuggets, Haliburton didn’t tone things down. Though Indiana lost in six games, he averaged 21.4 points and 10.3 assists and delivered a 38-point explosion in Game 4 that kept the Pacers’ hopes alive. He flexed after every big play, egged on the Denver crowd, and waved goodbye after each win. Nuggets fans, like others before them, loathed him—but they couldn’t ignore his greatness.

It was this undeniable talent paired with unshakable confidence that made Haliburton such a magnetic figure throughout the postseason. Sports talk shows couldn’t get enough of him. “First Take,” “Undisputed,” and “NBA Today” spent entire segments debating whether he was good for the game or crossing a line with his antics. Twitter and Instagram lit up every time he touched the ball. Haliburton wasn’t just playing basketball—he was putting on a show.

At the ESPYs in Los Angeles, Haliburton accepted the award wearing a sleek black suit and a sly grin. As he walked on stage to a mix of cheers and playful boos, he embraced the moment with trademark charm and bravado.

“I just want to thank all the fans who booed me,” he said during his acceptance speech. “You gave me energy. You gave me motivation. And let’s be real—without y’all, I wouldn’t be here right now. So thank you for the hate. I loved every second of it.”

The crowd erupted with laughter and applause. Haliburton, never one to miss a beat, then added, “And to the Knicks fans—I hear therapy helps.”

It was vintage Haliburton: witty, fearless, and unbothered by what anyone thinks of him. Even fellow athletes in attendance—many of whom had voted for the award—couldn’t help but nod in approval. Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was seen clapping enthusiastically, and NBA peers like Anthony Edwards and Jimmy Butler gave knowing smirks.

Back in Indianapolis, the response was euphoric. The city has long yearned for a superstar to rally behind since the days of Reggie Miller and Paul George. Haliburton, who was acquired via trade from Sacramento in 2022, has not only embraced being a Pacer but elevated the franchise to new relevance. Under his leadership, the Pacers posted their best playoff performance in over two decades. Merchandise sales soared, ticket demand spiked, and national TV games returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle commented on the award after the ESPYs, saying, “Tyrese is as competitive as they come. He loves the moment, and he’s not afraid to express himself. What people call ‘villainous’ is just passion, flair, and fearlessness. We’re lucky to have him.”

While the Villain of the Year honor is meant to be humorous, it also underscores a larger cultural shift in the NBA. Players are no longer just judged by stats—they’re entertainers, personalities, and lightning rods for discussion. Haliburton’s journey this past season showcased the power of embracing the spotlight, even when it paints you as the antagonist.

Critics have questioned whether Haliburton’s antics go too far. Some called him disrespectful. Others accused him of showboating. But there’s little denying that he made basketball more fun to watch. His approach drew comparisons to greats like Reggie Miller, who famously taunted Spike Lee courtside, and Draymond Green, whose fire has long fueled championship teams.

“I’m not trying to be anyone else,” Haliburton said during a post-ESPY interview. “But I grew up watching guys who didn’t care what the crowd thought. They just wanted to win. And they wanted to have fun doing it. That’s me.”

As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, Haliburton will enter it not just as an All-NBA guard and Finals participant, but as the league’s reigning villain—a badge of honor he wears proudly. The question now is whether he and the Pacers can build on last season’s momentum. With a reloaded roster, playoff-tested grit, and a star fully in his prime, the answer might be yes.

And when he inevitably walks into Madison Square Garden, Fiserv Forum, or Ball Arena next season, he knows exactly what to expect.

Boos. Jeers. Chants.

And Tyrese Haliburton will smile. Because the villain always does.