India, June 1 -- Indiana Pacers forwardPascal Siakam was named the Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player, scoring 31 points in the Pacers' Game 6 victory over theNew York Knicks. Averaging 24.8 points on 52.4% shooting (50% from 3) in the series, Siakam edged teammate Tyrese Haliburton for the award five votes to four. Pacers fans cheered as Siakam hoisted the Larry Bird Trophy.

The NBA annually honors the most valuable players (MVPs) of both of its conference finals. The Larry Bird Trophy is awarded to the MVP from the Eastern Conference.

The Eastern Conference Finals MVP is called the Larry Bird Trophy to honor Hall of Fame player Larry Bird, who made hisNBA debut in 1979. Back in 2022, Bird's great influence on the game of b...