Tyrese Haliburton says he regrets how his relationship with Damian Lillard deteriorated and hopes to have a conversation with the Portland Trail Blazers guard to repair their connection.
Speaking on The Zach Lowe Show, the Indiana Pacers star reflected on the controversy surrounding his use of Lillard’s signature “Dame Time” celebration during the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament. Haliburton acknowledged that his actions may have gone too far and took responsibility for how the situation unfolded.
“What I do regret more than anything is what me and Dame’s relationship has become,” Haliburton said. “Because he was a guy who checked on me a lot early in my career, especially when I got traded.”
Haliburton entered the NBA in 2020 with the Sacramento Kings before being traded to Indiana in February 2022. He has since developed into one of the Pacers’ leading players, but he said Lillard had been supportive of him during the early stages of his career.
“I would love to have a conversation [with Lillard] because I just think it became more than it ever needed to be,” Haliburton added. “Put it on me. I was young, in the moment, I was having fun with it, but it was probably a little much. And whatever happened from there happened.”
The disagreement stemmed from Haliburton’s decision to imitate Lillard’s trademark celebration during the 2025 Play-In Tournament. The gesture became a talking point because of the competitive context and the history between the two guards.
The conversation comes as Haliburton begins the process of returning to basketball following a lengthy rehabilitation from a torn Achilles sustained during the 2025 NBA Finals.
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More than 16 months after the injury, he returned to action in Indiana’s preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording seven points, six assists, two steals and two blocks in 16 minutes. The game took place at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, where Haliburton played college basketball for Iowa State.
The 26-year-old described his recovery as a roller coaster and said the experience had changed his perspective on both basketball and life.
“I think my perspective on life, on basketball, has changed a lot through this injury,” Haliburton said. “I think that’s the biggest thing is it’s been easier for me to take a step back and be like, just appreciate the little things right now.”
