Pacers’ Pascal Siakam has awkward exchange with columnist previously suspended over Caitlin Clark interaction
Gregg Doyel was suspended for two weeks and removed from covering the Fever last year
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.”
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?
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.
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.”
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.
News
The bride was 8 months pregnant. On the wedding day, her mother-in-law did not let her through the front door but forced her to climb the wall into the house. Her mother-in-law also sarcastically said: “The family is poor and does not know how to teach their daughter, climb up. If you can’t climb up, come back to your house and give birth.” The bride’s father could not bear it any longer so he did something no one expected./hi
The bride was 8 months pregnant. On the wedding day, her mother-in-law did not let her in the front door…
The daughter-in-law was 9 months pregnant but her mother-in-law still forced her to carry a full basin of clothes up 4 floors to the rooftop to dry, and the incident that followed made the whole village cry./hi
The daughter-in-law was 9 months pregnant but her mother-in-law still forced her to carry a full basin of clothes up…
My mother-in-law knew that my monthly salary was 1.5 lakh rupees, so she called my three brothers-in-law from the countryside to come and live with me, forcing me to serve them all day long. I did not resist, just silently packed my suitcase and returned to my hometown, but after only 1 day they had to go through the most terrible thing./hi
When my mother-in-law learned that my monthly salary was 1.5 lakh rupees, she immediately called her three brothers-in-law from the…
On the wedding day, my normally docile dog suddenly rushed to bite the groom and the horrifying truth that I never knew/hi
On the wedding day, my normally docile dog suddenly rushed to bite the groom and the horrifying truth that I…
Father-in-law is seriously ill and needs 3 lakh rupees urgently for treatment. The wife wants her husband to withdraw his savings book, but he calmly replies: “Mom has kept all the money, you should ask her.” Unexpectedly, the wife did such a shocking thing…/hi
My father, Mr. Ramesh, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctor said he needed to be hospitalized immediately for surgery,…
On the wedding night, before we could consummate our marriage, my husband took his pillow and went to the next room to sleep. I was shocked to know why a poor girl like me was worth 6 lakh rupees…/hi
Before we could consummate our marriage, my husband had already carried his pillow to the next room to sleep. I…
End of content
No more pages to load
