Tyrese Haliburton Breaks Silence on WWE Match Talk with Jalen Brunson
Tyrese Haliburton’s got love for WWE—but he’s not trading the hardwood for the hard canvas.
Speaking on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, the Indiana Pacers star shut down chatter that he’d wrestle Knicks guard (and postseason foil) Jalen Brunson. Haliburton said he’s down for a single stunt—“put me through a table once”—but an actual match? Not happening. Or is it?
The NBA rivals have already flirted with wrestling theatrics: a SmackDown staredown a few years back, then a fresh chapter when their teams collided in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. But after suffering a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder, Haliburton’s focus is squarely on recovery and leading Indiana back to June—not running the ropes.
Celebrity crossovers are booming in pro wrestling—Jelly Roll at SummerSlam 2025 Night 1, Pat McAfee lacing up the boots, Logan Paul headlining this Sunday’s Clash in Paris—and there’s a long lineage from Mike Tyson at WrestleMania XIV to Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show. NBA stars have crossed the ropes more than you’d think: Dennis Rodman teamed with Hulk Hogan in WCW, Karl Malone tagged with Diamond Dallas Page against Hogan & Rodman at Bash at the Beach ’98, Shaquille O’Neal took a table bump in AEW’s 2021 tag bout (with Jade Cargill vs. Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet), and Enes Kanter even snagged WWE’s 24/7 Title in 2019. And for the “no way that happened” file: late-night host Jay Leno actually wrestled—teaming with DDP to beat Hogan & Eric Bischoff at WCW Road Wild ’98. AEW leans in today with frequent celeb cameos (yes, even the viral “Costco Guys”). Haliburton’s stance is the pragmatic counterpoint: enjoy the spectacle, protect the career.
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From WWE’s side, the Haliburton–Brunson dynamic is gold for a ringside cameo or a quick, controlled spot when schedules align. But a full match is a non-starter without team/league green lights—and especially while Haliburton rehabs. Expect WWE to keep the NBA rivalry warm with TV teases and crowd shots, not contracts and suplexes. Anything is possible in professional wrestling, we have learned that from the past. Now, more than ever is the mainstream crossover more accepted than in the past.
Meanwhile in WWE…
Clash in Paris is set for this Sunday: Logan Paul vs. John Cena headlines, Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella for the Women’s Intercontinental Title, and a World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way (Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight). We’ll have live coverage and real-time updates on Wrestling.news.
