John Haliburton, the father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, can return to Indiana Pacers home games after being told to stay away from home and road games following an on-court incident with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round of the NBA playoffs, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s decision.
Haliburton will watch remaining games from a suite at the Pacers’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse and will not attend road games for the remainder of Indiana’s series against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers lead the series 2-1.
Last week, TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley said, ‘I want to reach out to (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver. It’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building. Adam, I’m asking you. The man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he’s been punished. I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let him back in the building for Games 3 and 4.’
John Haliburton had a courtside seat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 5 against the Bucks on April 29, and after Tyrese made the game-winning, series-clinching shot in the final seconds in Game 5 series, he ran onto the court and had a verbal altercation with Antetokounmpo.
Tyrese Haliburton admonished his dad’s actions, and John Haliburton apologized. The Pacers then told John Haliburton not to attend home and road games, and he missed Indiana’s next eight games.
‘I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,’ John Haliburton posted on social media. ‘This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.’
Game 4 of the Knicks-Pacers series is Tuesday in Indianapolis (8 p.m. ET, TNT).
Tyrese Haliburton’s father confronts Giannis
After Haliburton’s layup with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime gave Indiana a 119-118 victory and eliminated the Bucks, John Haliburton and other Pacers fans stormed onto the court.
Moments later, TV cameras captured an animated discussion between the two before Antetokounmpo was ushered away.
Antetokounmpo’s response to confrontation
Giannis was still a little upset when asked about the exchange in a postgame interview.
‘(A)t the moment I thought he was a fan,’ Antetokounmpo said. ‘But then I realize it was Tyrese’s (father). I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. (But) it was his dad … Coming in the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, (and saying), ‘This is what we do. This is what we F-ing do. This what the F we do.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.
‘I’m happy for him, I’m happy for his son, and I’m happy that he’s happy for his son,’ Antetokounmpo later added. ‘That’s how you’re supposed to feel. But coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me I think is totally unacceptable, totally unacceptable.’
Antetokounmpo said their discussion on the floor ended amicably, as evidenced by a thumbs-up gesture he gave as they parted. ‘I talked with him at the end,’ Antetokounmpo said, ‘and I think we’re in a good place.’