Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals saw the Knicks stave off elimination with an impressive showing on their home floor. New York downed the Pacers, 111-94, as Jalen Brunson (32 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 13 rebounds) caught fire.

The display was out of the ordinary for Indiana, which didn't look quite as sprightly as its adversary. Stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam were left quiet, with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau's mid-game adjustments working a treat.

The Pacers remain firmly in control of the series, holding a 3-2 lead and another game on their home floor. But the nature of their Game 5 performance had some feeling rather blue, including, it seems, Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel. The infamous writer got his name up in lights for an eye-catching interaction with Siakam postgame. That wasn't a good thing, either.

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Here's what you need to know about the tense exchange.

Pascal Siakam-Gregg Doyel postgame interview

Sitting at the lectern at Madison Square Garden upon the conclusion of Thursday's game, Siakam fielded questions from the bevy of field reporters who pooled into the press room. Most questions were fairly innocuous in nature; Siakam gave credit to the Knicks for their energy and tactical adjustments, all while acknowledging Indiana still has more work to do to close out the series.

Then, he was greeted by a familiar voice. Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel pressed the Pacers standout on his team's performance on Friday night. The writer appeared almost in disbelief over the nature of Indiana's display. Siakam wasn't too pleased.

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“What’re you talking about?” Siakam asked Doyel at the start of the encounter. “They played harder than us. It’s OK. We played hard, but they played harder. What’s your point? I don’t get it.”

Doyel kept on, seemingly unsatisfied with Siakam's response. Siakam was undeterred.

"That happens in a game, though," Siakam said. "That's basketball."

Then, the death knell.

"You good, bro?" Siakam asked. "You're looking for something, I know. But damn. I told you. What else do you want me to tell you?"

"You good bro?... Who is this guy?" 😳👀

Awkward exchange between Pascal Siakam and this reporter after Pacers Game 5 loss 😬 pic.twitter.com/t3Y5bEeGhu

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2025

Doyel continued to ramble on. So, Siakam asked him what he thought of Indiana's display. He then asked someone off-camera what the journalist's name was. A voice responded, revealing that the journalist in question was Doyel.

The awkward interaction ended as quickly as it started. Siakam exited stage left shortly thereafter. But onlookers were left wondering just what motivated Doyel's curious harangue against the Pacers star.

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Gregg Doyel-Caitlin Clark suspension, explained

Thursday's blow-up wasn't the first time Doyel's name made headlines. A little more than a year ago, Doyel surged into the national consciousness for another awkward encounter, that time with Fever star Caitlin Clark.

During Clark's introductory presser with Indiana on April 17, 2024, Doyel hopped on the mic to fire a question towards Clark. Prior to doing so, he flashed a heart symbol towards the Iowa alum, a gesture she routinely directed towards her loved ones during her college career.

Clark asked Doyel whether he liked the symbol. Doyel replied "I like that you’re here." The guard then explained the familial origins of the signal.

"I do that at my family after every game, so it’s pretty cool," Clark said.

Our reporters are being normal pic.twitter.com/tN3Fvr8rwc

— DeSpeaker (Pacing) (@HoosierSpeaker) April 17, 2024

Then, things got weird. Doyel asked Clark to direct the gesture towards him.

"OK, well, start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine," Doyel said.

He published an apology shortly after the incident amid waves of backlash, acknowledging that he was "part of the problem." The Star — and its ownership group, Gannett — responded in kind, banning him from attending any Fever game in person last year. He also was handed a two-week suspension for his remarks.

MORE: Have the Pacers ever won an NBA Championship? 

Who is Gregg Doyel?

Doyel is a columnist at the Indianapolis Star, the same publication he's worked at since 2014. Born in Hawaii and raised in Mississippi, he attended high school at Stratford Academy in Georgia before enrolling at the University of Florida. 

Before arriving in Nap Town, Doyel previously wrote for the Tampa Tribune (high school sports), Miami Herald (Florida Marlins), Charlotte Observer (ACC basketball) and CBS Sports (college basketball).

With CBS Sports, he was the website's college basketball writer before converting to a columnist. He also wrote two books on the sport, including "Kentucky Wildcats: Where Have You Gone?" and "Coach K: Building the Duke Dynasty."

Doyel has won 16 APSE Top 10 awards since 2007, including eight specifically for his columns. 

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