All it took was one epic collapse for the Pacers to turn to Tyrese Haliburton’s father for support.
John Haliburton, who was banned from the Pacers’ last eight home playoff games after he provoked a confrontation with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on April 29, will be allowed to attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday against the Knicks, according to an ESPN report.
With a chance to push the Knicks to the brink of elimination on Sunday night, the Pacers blew a 20-point, second-half lead and lost Game 3.
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Is the timing of the elder Haliburton’s return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse coincidental? Or are the Pacers reversing course to try to jumpstart Tyrese, who has been quiet over the past two games of the series after his buzzer-beater to force overtime in Game 1 was accompanied by making a choking sign at the Knicks.
TNT analyst Charles Barkley has been lobbying the NBA to let John Haliburton back into his son’s games, saying the dues were paid for the way he ran onto the court and tauntingly waved a towel in Antetokounmpo’s face after the Pacers beat the Bucks in five games.