After the Indiana Pacers’ stunning overtime victory in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks, guard Tyrese Haliburton found himself addressing an unexpected postgame altercation. While celebrating the Pacers’ 119-118 win that secured a 4-1 series victory, Haliburton didn’t initially realize his father, John Haliburton, had caused tension on the court by confronting Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I had no idea it happened until I got back to the locker room and saw the video of my pops,” said Haliburton, who hit the game-winning layup with just 1.3 seconds left in overtime. “We had a little talk about it. I don’t agree with what transpired there. Basketball is basketball, and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited.”
The scuffle occurred after the Bucks’ late-game collapse, with Antetokounmpo visibly upset about losing a seven-point lead in the final 40 seconds. The Greek superstar was unaware that John Haliburton was Tyrese’s father, initially mistaking him for a fan who had run onto the court.
Antetokounmpo, who recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound, and 13-assist performance in the game, voiced his displeasure, saying, “I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful,” referring to John Haliburton displaying a towel with his son’s image while shouting, “this is what we (expletive) do.”
Despite the tension, Haliburton expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that his father’s actions were not in line with his own values. “I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there. It’s unfortunate what happened at the end, but I think it’s just competition,” he said. “I’ll talk to Giannis about it eventually.”
Tyrese Haliburton, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, acknowledged the need for a conversation with Antetokounmpo. “I’ll reach out to Giannis before the next game. It’s unfortunate, but we’ll clear the air,” Haliburton added.
In the aftermath, Antetokounmpo reflected on his own family dynamics, sharing a personal anecdote about his mother’s presence during the Bucks’ 2020-21 championship season. He noted that his family typically avoids sitting courtside and expressed his discomfort with the level of involvement his opponent’s family had displayed during the heated contest.
The rivalry between the Pacers and Bucks has been intensifying, with Indiana winning both postseason matchups in the past two years, adding another layer of intensity to an already fiery playoff series.
