Shaquille O'Neal apologises to NBA star for what he said about him prior to the Conference Finals

Shaquille O'Neal knows what it takes to become an NBA Champion, having reached the pinnacle of the sport on four occasions.

The 53-year-old, famous for his ginormous frame and skill on the court, inspired the Los Angeles Lakers to three Championships in the early 2000s before claiming a fourth with Miami Heat in 2006.

O'Neal is now a well-respected pundit, but he was forced to backtrack on his criticism of Tyrese Haliburton after the Indiana Pacers star shone in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pacers recorded a 138-135 win over the New York Knicks in Game 1, sparking wild celebrations.

However, O'Neal called for calm after the win, suggesting that Haliburton may not have the killer instinct to double his side's lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

"I love this kid, I want him to be in 'killer mode' all the time," he said.

"I don't like all that smiling, job's not done yet.

"It's an interesting point - are they going to have that killer instinct, or are they going to be happy?

"At this point in the season, you get anxious and excited. You've got a win, and you're saying to yourself, 'three more games and you get to the Finals.'

"So while you're saying to yourself that you're happy, you're also saying, 'I'm coming to take care of business.'

"You hit the shot [in Game 1], but all that laughing and giggling, I don't like that. I want him to be focused, be serious and have that killer instinct."

However, Haliburton responded in style, producing a stunning display in a 114-109 triumph in Game 2.

O'Neal was the first to admit he got it wrong, conceding that The Pacers were 'serious' during the crucial contest.

"Tyrese… I owe you an apology," he said after Game 2.

"During an interview, it looked like a bit too much giggling for me.

"I was like, 'I want these guys to be serious and you guys were serious."

Reporting by Jonathan Bray.