NBA: Haliburton scolds his father for sparking postgame fracas

Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, is separated from Indiana Pacers gamers ahead Obi Toppin, 2d from proper, and guard Bennedict Mathurin, proper, after Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff collection in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton used to be so thinking about Indiana’s fantastic time beyond regulation rally that he didn’t understand what resulted in the postgame scuffle between his teammates and the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night time.

Then he were given to the locker room, watched the replay and winced when he noticed his father, John, at the court docket, confronting two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“I had no idea it happened until I got back to the locker room and they showed me the video of my pops,” the two-time All-Star mentioned after he made the decisive layup with 1.3 seconds left to present Indiana a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 collection win. “We had a little talk about it. I don’t agree with what transpired there. I think basketball is basketball and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited.”

READ: NBA: Tyrese Haliburton’s father confronts Giannis Antetokounmpo

Antetokounmpo wasn’t happy, both, after his staff blew a seven-point lead within the ultimate 40 seconds of time beyond regulation, sending the Bucks to their 3rd directly first-round go out. The two-time MVP didn’t acknowledge John Haliburton, considering he used to be simply any other fan who had run onto the court docket.

Antetokounmpo mentioned he likes Haliburton, calling him a really perfect competitor, however he mentioned John Haliburton exhibiting a towel together with his son’s symbol whilst yelling “this is what we (expletive) do” used to be incorrect.

“I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful,” mentioned Antetokounmpo, who completed with 30 issues, 20 rebounds and 13 assists.

Haliburton appeared actually disillusioned concerning the incident, promising to achieve out to Antetokounmpo ahead of the groups play once more.

READ: NBA Playoffs: Haliburton leads Pacers to OT win, get rid of Bucks

“I’ll talk to Giannis about it eventually,” mentioned Haliburton, who grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. “I don’t suppose my pops used to be in the suitable in any respect there. It’s unlucky what took place on the finish there.

“It’s unfortunate what happened there (the scuffle), but I think it’s just competition,” he added. “As far as my pops, I don’t agree with what happened there. We’ll have a conversation.”

Antetokounmpo instructed a tale concerning the Bucks’ 2020-21 championship season, when his mom attended each and every sport from mid-February during the identify run. The Greek celebrity mentioned his mother wasn’t even certain whether or not she may come onto the court docket to hug him on the finish of the general sport and famous that his members of the family generally don’t take a seat courtside.

The Pacers and Bucks have met 20 occasions during the last two seasons, with the Pacers profitable 8 11 playoff video games and each postseason collection in an more and more heated contention.