The one who went toe-to-toe with Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O’Neal. The one whose posters still line the walls of local bars and barbershops. The one who, every time he comes home, receives a champion’s applause — even though he never was one.

Tyrese Haliburton thought the Eastern Conference finals MVP trophy was his after the Pacers’ Game 6 win against the Knicks. But then it wasn’t.