Tyrese Haliburton's father broke his silence after the post-game incident with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the end of Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pacers came back from a 118-111 deficit with 40 seconds left in overtime and took the 119-118 victory behind five Haliburton's points in the final seconds, including a driving layup with 1.1 on the clock.
Once the victory was consummated, Pacers fans were happy. Tyrese Halliburton's dad, John Halliburton, was caught on camera going to Antetokounmpo and telling him something that ignited a back-and-forth with the two-time NBA MVP.
The exchange turned a lot of heads, with Antetokounmpo labeling John Halliburton's attitude "disrespectful."
“I’m happy for his son and I’m happy that he’s happy for his son. That’s how you’re supposed to feel. But coming to me and disrespecting me, cursing at me, I think it’s totally unacceptable.”
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesAfter causing a stir, John Haliburton took to X to apologize to Antetokounmpo, the Bucks and the Pacers.
"I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game," Haliburton wrote. "This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again."
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Tyrese Haliburton criticized his father's actions and vowed to have a conversation with him after the game.
"I don't think my pops was in the right at all there," he said.
The Pacers are now headed to Cleveland to start their second-round series against the Cavs, while the Bucks enter an offseason that might bring major changes to the organization.
Indiana is inspired after taking down Milwaukee, but Cleveland should give them a lot more to work with.
Related: Calls Mount for NBA to Ban Tyrese Haliburton's Dad
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