The Indiana Pacers’ dramatic overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs, an incident involving Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, drew significant attention. After Tyrese secured the win with a last-second layup, John, aged 55, entered the court and confronted Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was seen waving a towel and shouting, actions that Antetokounmpo later described as “very, very disrespectful” .
In response to the incident, the Indiana Pacers’ front office, after discussions with John Haliburton, decided that he would refrain from attending the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future. This decision was accepted by John, and Tyrese Haliburton expressed understanding, acknowledging that his father’s actions were inappropriate but emphasizing their strong familial bond .
John Haliburton later issued a public apology to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers organization, expressing regret for his actions and committing to preventing similar incidents in the future . Despite the controversy, Tyrese Haliburton continues to focus on his performance in the playoffs, maintaining daily communication with his father, who now supports him from afar.
