Tyrese Haliburton wants to mend fences with Damian Lillard after the Indiana Pacers star copied the veteran's signature "Dame Time" celebration during the 2023 In-Season Tournament.
Haliburton hit a key 3-pointer with less than a minute remaining in the Pacers' semifinal win over Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks before proceeding to look at his wrist, a not-so-subtle imitation of Lillard's celebration.
The Pacers star discussed the subsequent deterioration of his relationship with Lillard, who's since returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, in a recent appearance on "The Zach Lowe Show."
"I think what I do regret more than anything is what me and Dame's relationship has become," Haliburton said, according to ESPN. "Because he was a guy who checked on me a lot early in my career, especially when I got traded (from the Sacramento Kings to the Pacers in 2022)."
Haliburton and Lillard missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering torn Achilles tendons during the 2025 playoffs. Haliburton sustained his season-ending injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, while Lillard was hurt in Game 4 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Pacers.
They're both healthy and have taken part in preseason action.
Haliburton missed a previous opportunity to meet up with Lillard in Portland when he canceled a visit following a case of shingles. The 26-year-old said he'd looked up to Lillard for most of his life and expressed optimism that the two All-Stars can "at least be cordial again."
"I would love to have a conversation (with Lillard) because I just think it became more than it ever needed to be," Haliburton said. "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 Pacers host the Trail Blazers on Dec. 17, and the teams meet again Feb. 18 in Portland.
