As the Indiana Pacers continue to establish themselves as perennial playoff threats, it is only natural that they will create some new rivalries along the way. In 2025, teams like the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks are considered rivals to the Pacers, mostly because of the history and their standings in the league currently. However, one of the Pacers' biggest rivals of all-time may be making a comeback.
When talking about the biggest rivalries in Pacers history, one team that must be included is the Detroit Pistons. Not only did these teams have some heated battles in the 2000s, but they were each at the center of one of the most infamous moments in sports history--the Malice at the Palace, which happened in 2004. The rivalry died down at some point after this moment, but it was mostly because neither team was a contender at the same time. Fast forward to the present day, and things are a bit different.
With a month left in the regular season, the Pacers and Pistons are both playoff-bound and currently fighting for the No. 4 seed in the East and homecourt advantage (along with the Bucks). Even so, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton does not believe there is a rivalry ongoing, but he admits that this could change under one condition.
Pacers and Pistons must meet in the playoffs to revive rivalry
In a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Haliburton said he does not think the Pacers and Pistons are rivals. However, if the two teams meet in the playoffs, he may change his mind.
“If we play the Pistons in the playoffs, then I think you can say the rivalry is back.” 👀
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 12, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton not ready to call Pacers-Pistons a rivalry (via @PatMcAfeeShow). pic.twitter.com/zWtiIHAk0c
"I think the public might be trying to bring back the Malice rivalry. I mean, and that's good for the league, I get it. My only thing is, I said this last year about the Bucks, I don't really consider it a rivalry until you get a playoff matchup. So if we play the Pistons in the playoffs, then I think you can say the rivalry is back," Haliburton said.
As it stands, the Pacers own the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, whereas the Pistons own the No. 6 seed. At this rate, this will be the first time both teams make the playoffs since 2019. The Pacers and Pistons have not met in the playoffs since 2005, but they could put an end to that trend this year. If they do, it might be time for Haliburton to change his stance and consider the rivalry alive once again.
With roughly a month remaining in the regular season, it will be worth monitoring the Pacers and Pistons' ranking in the standings. Given that they are both in a three-way battle for the No. 4 seed, there is a chance that they meet in the playoffs as soon as the first round. There is a lot of basketball left to be played, but it is beginning to look like this rivalry may be coming back soon (if it was ever gone to begin with).