Pacers’ Pascal Siakam has awkward exchange with columnist previously suspended over Caitlin Clark interaction

Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel has made headlines again this week for another awkward interaction with a basketball player, this time after the Indiana Pacers suffered a crucial loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. 

The Pacers missed a chance to secure their spot in the NBA Finals after the Knicks staved off elimination with an 111-94 victory at home on Thursday night. Speaking to reporters after the loss, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam gave credit to the Knicks for outplaying Indiana. 

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) in the fourth quarter during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 29, 2025.  (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

"They played better than us, and I just think we've been an amazing team all year at bouncing back," he said. "Our strength has been being together, fighting hard together, staying together no matter what. Nobody had us being here — right now we're up 3-2 in the conference finals." 

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But Siakam was pressed by Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel over how it was "possible" that the Knicks outplayed the Pacers, leading to an awkward exchange between the two. 

"What are you talking about? They played harder than us," Siakam said. "We played hard but they played harder. What’s your point, I don’t get it." 

Doyel continued to press Siakam, but the NBA star interrupted, "that happens in a game, though. That’s basketball." 

Gregg Doyel, IndyStar sports columnist. (Robert Scheer/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Visibly annoyed by the line of questioning, Siakam questioned Doyel, "You good, bro?" 

BIZARRE CAITLIN CLARK INTERACTIONS LEAD TO DISCIPLINE FOR VETERAN COLUMNIST

Siakam added that he knew Doyel was "looking for something."

"I told you, what else do you want me to tell you?" 

The interaction continued, prompting Siakam to ask a nearby member of the Pacers’ media team "Who is this guy?" 

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) reacts toward an official next to center Myles Turner (33) during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis.  (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Thursday night was not the first time Doyel created a stir with his comments in a press room. In May 2024, the veteran columnist was suspended for two-weeks by his outlet and was removed from covering the Indiana Fever beat after he made controversial comments towards star Caitlin Clark.

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Before he asked her a question at her welcoming press conference, Doyel formed a heart symbol with his hands for Clark. The then-rookie asked Doyel whether he liked that, and he responded, "I like that you’re here." 

Clark said she makes the gesture with her hands to her family "after every game," to which Dotel responded, "Start doing it to me, and we’ll get along." While talking to former head coach Christie Sides, he also referred to Clark as "that" and "it."

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