Alex Palou made his mark on an oval track, and now the Indiana Pacers are about to ride a wave of momentum on the basketball court. On the same day the three-time IndyCar champion secured his first Indy 500 victory, Palou also appeared at Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and the New York Knicks.
For Indianapolis sports fans, the excitement peaked just hours before the Game 3 tip-off at Gainbridge Field House, located about seven miles from the race venue. IndyCar officials brought Palou downtown to honor his post-race commitment. Even before the big event, Palou was showing support for the Pacers’ playoff run, donning a Tyrese Haliburton jersey at the Indy 500 Parade on Saturday.
“It would help some people in Indiana get to know me better,” Palou said.
Palou arrived before the second quarter, proudly wearing his BorgWarner wreath over a Pacers jersey, waving to the crowd adorned in yellow. He wasn’t the only star in attendance; actors Terry Crews and Oscar-nominated Timothy Chalamet also showed their support courtside, with Chalamet rooting for the Knicks.
The Pacers are hoping Palou’s Brickyard win will boost their confidence against the Knicks. But the team is already performing strongly, led by Haliburton’s impressive play—highlighted by his iconic buzzer-beater that forced overtime in Game 1. Since 1999, the Pacers have been underdogs, but now they’re aiming to make their first NBA Finals appearance. “Indy’s energy is really special right now,” Haliburton remarked following the Pacers’ Game 2 win in New York.
Fan Take: This crossover between IndyCar and NBA spotlight moments energizes local fans and raises the profile of Indiana sports. The blend of racing triumph and basketball playoff intensity could spark a new level of enthusiasm, inspiring both communities to rally behind their teams and elevate the sport’s cultural impact in the region.
