Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winner Not Getting Mike Breen’s Famous ‘BANG’ Call Disappoints Fans: “Used It on the Most Lamest Shots”

Indiana Pacers won Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals after Tyrese Haliburton sunk a game-winning two-pointer with 0.3 seconds to go.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winner Not Getting Mike Breen’s Famous ‘BANG’ Call Disappoints Fans: “Used It on the Most Lamest Shots”

Mike Green did not call 'BANG' after Tyrese Haliburton's game-winner (Image via FirstSportz)

The Indiana Pacers won Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals despite trailing for 98% of the time. The only time they went ahead was after Tyrese Haliburton shot the game-winning basket with 0.3 seconds left in regulation. This shot, though, was different from his Eastern playoffs three-point game-winners.

This game-winner was more about his ability to create space against the toughest perimeter defense in the league. However, that game-winner was probably one of the best moments in NBA Finals history. Yet, it did not garner a ‘BANG’ call from ESPN’s veteran play-by-play commentator, Mike Breen.

It is not as if he hasn’t yelled ‘BANG’ when a crucial two-pointer goes in. Of late, he has reserved those calls for game-changing three-pointers. It so happens that he gave the same logic to Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina.

I think in all these years, I only said bang for a two-pointer once. I save it for threes. In hindsight, because of the magnitude of the shot, it certainly would’ve worked and made people happy, but I don’t premeditate the call, and it was such an unbelievable shot. If he was beyond the 3-point mark, I probably would’ve said ‘BANG!’

Mike Breen said to Jimmy Traina

The veteran play-caller clarified that the only time he yelled ‘BANG’ on a two-pointer was when Kobe Bryant hit a shot against the Phoenix Suns. Other than that, he has never used that onomatopoeic word other than when a three-pointer changes the course of a game. But he understands this shot was almost deserving of a ‘BANG’.

Fans upset with Mike Breen for not calling ‘BANG’ on Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner

Basketball fans, however, are not happy with Mike Breen. Ever since the game ended, they have been taking turns on social media to call out the 64-year-old sportscaster. Considering the magnitude of Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner, they believe Breen should have called ‘BANG’.

Fans believe Mike Breen should have yelled 'BANG' after Tyrese Haliburton's game 1 winner
Fans believe Mike Breen should have yelled ‘BANG’ after Tyrese Haliburton’s game 1 winner (Image via Indiana Pacers/X)

They believe such calls should be for those that alter the complexion of a game. If it is just for three-pointers, it defeats the purpose of its value. They believe Mike Breen missed a golden chance to attach his name to the shot. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Mike Breen clarified that he does not premeditate a call. In this instance, fans believe those theories are worthless, considering that only calling three-pointers proves it is premeditated. Basketball fans hope this situation forces the ESPN playcaller to alter his methods to include all game-altering shots.

Basketball fans want to see the NBA Finals logo again

The league saw the NBA Finals Game 1 garner very poor ratings when compared to last year. Thankfully, Tyrese Haliburton‘s game-winner was the brightest spot, and the Indiana Pacers’ comeback sequence helped push the numbers higher.

However, basketball fans noticed how the league has moved away from displaying its famous NBA Finals logo in beautiful cursive writing. It used to be a hallmark of the Finals. Now, team logos dominate the center of the court, just as they would in normal regular-season games.

Fans also could not find the logos on the surrounding billboards. Instead, they found YouTube TV logos along with a few marginal mentions of the Finals. NFL great JJ Watt summed it up with a post on his official X page.

Put the Larry O’Brien back at center court and bring the cursive writing back too. Make the finals look & feel like The Finals.

JJ Watt wrote on X

The former Houston Texans star’s words suggest the league should not have done away with something that is both iconic and a part of the league’s history. Past NBA Finals have the distinctive logo and the Larry O’Brien trophy in all the videos. The lack of it is making these games look ordinary.

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