The Indiana Pacers may have sealed a dramatic first-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, but the postgame headlines were dominated by an unexpected and uncomfortable scene involving Tyrese Haliburton‘s father.
The Pacers edged the Bucks 119-118 in an overtime thriller, eliminating the Eastern Conference powerhouse in Game 5. Despite a triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo and a 33-point showing from Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee‘s late-game turnovers proved costly. Haliburton sealed the win with a game-winning layup that sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into celebration-but what followed raised eyebrows across the league.
As the crowd erupted, John Haliburton, Tyrese‘s father, stepped onto the court holding a banner with his son’s face. That moment turned tense when he confronted Giannis, standing face-to-face with the Bucks star in the immediate aftermath of the defeat. Witnesses saw the two exchange words before they were separated by others nearby.
Haliburton disapproves of father’s behavior after emotional win
Speaking to reporters after the game, Tyrese Haliburton expressed clear disappointment in his father’s actions, saying he only learned of the incident after being shown a video backstage.
“As far as the incident between Giannis and my pops, I had no idea it happened until I got to the back and was shown the video. Me and my pops have talked about that. I don’t agree with what transpired there from him.”
Haliburton acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment but emphasized that his father crossed a line. “I’ll talk with Giannis eventually about it. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all. Unfortunate what happened,” he added. “He must’ve been excited to see his son hit the game winner, but he shouldn’t have been on the floor against Giannis.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo also addressed the incident after the game, offering a measured but firm response: “I’m happy for him [John] and I’m happy for his son…but coming to me and disrespecting me, cursing at me, I think it’s totally unacceptable.”
He pointed out that even during his team’s 2021 championship celebrations, his own family kept a respectful distance from opponents: “My family didn’t get involved, even in the celebration, as a sign of respect for the opposition.”
While the dust settles on this unfortunate exchange, the Pacers now turn their attention to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where emotions will no doubt continue to run high-hopefully just on the court this time.
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