After a bizarre scuffle with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton issued a mea culpa.
John Haliburton was seen taunting Antetokounmpo, 30, on the court following the Pacers’ series-clinching victory over the Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 29. The two eventually came face-to-face before being separated by Bucks players and arena security.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” John posted via X. “This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
The Pacers victory on Tuesday night was sealed by a Tyrese layup with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime, which involved blowing by Antetokounmpo for the bucket.
Antetokounmpo addressed the incident with John during his postgame media availability.
“I believe in being humble in victory,” the Bucks star said. “A lot of people out there that are like, ‘No, when you win the game, you talk s*** and it’s a green light for you to be disrespectful toward somebody else.’ I disagree.”
Antetokounmpo continued, “Losing the game, emotions run high. Having a fan — which at the moment I thought it was a fan, but then I realized it was Tyrese’s dad. Which, I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. His dad coming on the floor and showing me his son — a towel with his face on [it], [saying] ‘This is what we do. We do this.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”
After the incident, Antetokounmpo said he spoke to John and that the two are “in a good place.”
As for Tyrese, the Pacers star also admonished his father’s post-game behavior.
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“I don’t agree with what transpired there from him,” Tyrese, 25, told reporters. “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.
Tyrese continued, “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.”
No punishment has been announced for John from the Pacers, the NBA or Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
With the series win, the Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 is set for Sunday, May 4, at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena.
