Tyrese Haliburton’s dad returns to cheer on Pacers — weeks after on-court Giannis Antetokounmpo flap
Tyrese Haliburton’s dad was all smiles while attending Game 4 of the Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
John Haliburton appeared thrilled to be back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after he missed eight games due to a confrontation with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers eliminated Milwaukee in Game 5 of their first-round series.
John, dressed in a bright blue Indy sweatshirt, was spotted raising both of his arms and pointing from a suite.
The Pacers met with John after he stormed the court and argued with Antetokounmpo, and determined that he would not be attending the team’s games for the foreseeable future.
That decision was rescinded, though Haliburton still will not attend road games, ESPN reported Monday.
The Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the first-round series behind Haliburton’s go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime that gave them a series-clinching 119-118 victory in Indianapolis.
John walked over to Antetokounmpo and waved a towel with his son’s face on it in front of the Bucks star while swearing at him.
Tensions heightened when Antetokounmpo approached John, and they exchanged words while going forehead-to-forehead.
In his postgame press conference, Antetokounmpo called it “very disrespectful.”
Haliburton said that he wasn’t aware of the altercation until he got back to the locker room.
He then explained that he spoke with his father, saying he was in the wrong.
“I don’t agree with what transpired there from him,” Haliburton said after the incident. “Basketball is basketball, and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited, saw his son make a game winner and came on the court, but we had a conversation.
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“He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, and I’ll come to him to celebrate. But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I’ll talk with Giannis. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.”
John later issued a public apology to the organization and Antetokounmpo on social media.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” John wrote. “This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
The now viral moment stirred a “free pops” campaign from Pacers’ fans, which the two-time NBA All-Star has referenced during the Eastern Conference finals.
John missed the Pacers’ second-round series against the Cavaliers and Games 1-3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
He was spotted publicly supporting his son and taking in some of the Pacers’ playoff games at local Indiana bars, according to videos on social media that showed him getting particularly excited in Game 1 of the ECF when Tyrese sent the game to overtime.