Gregg Doyel creates another awkward press room moment with Pacers’ Pascal Siakam

Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel found himself in hot water once again this week following an awkward exchange with Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam. The incident occurred after the Pacers suffered a crucial loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Knicks managed to stave off elimination with a 111-94 victory at home, preventing the Pacers from securing their spot in the NBA Finals. Speaking to reporters after the game, Siakam acknowledged the Knicks’ superior performance, giving credit to them for outplaying Indiana.

“They played better than us, and I just think we’ve been an amazing team all year at bouncing back,” Siakam stated. “Our strength has been staying together, fighting hard together, and nobody had us being here – right now we’re up 3-2 in the conference finals.”

However, things took a turn when Doyel pressed Siakam on how it was “possible” for the Knicks to outplay the Pacers. The NBA star grew visibly irritated, questioning Doyel’s line of questioning.

“They played harder than us,” Siakam retorted. “We played hard but they played harder. What’s your point, I don’t get it.”

Despite Siakam’s attempts to deflect the questions, Doyel persisted, prompting Siakam to ask a member of the Pacers’ media team, “Who is this guy?”

This incident is not the first time Doyel has stirred controversy in a press room. In May 2024, he was suspended for two weeks and removed from covering the Indiana Fever beat after making inappropriate comments towards star player Caitlin Clark.

During a press conference, Doyel formed a heart symbol with his hands for Clark, which she questioned. Doyel responded by saying, “I like that you’re here,” and later made disrespectful comments referring to Clark as “that” and “it.”

These incidents highlight the importance of professionalism and respect in sports journalism. It is crucial for reporters to ask thoughtful and relevant questions without crossing the line into inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.

As the NBA playoffs continue and tensions run high, it is essential for media members to maintain a level of professionalism and respect when interacting with players and coaches. Hopefully, lessons can be learned from these incidents to ensure a positive and respectful environment for all involved in the sports industry.