As predicted by IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel, most of the talk nationally the morning after the Pacers’ thrilling Game 5 win over the Bucks isn’t about the game itself, but rather the postgame incident afterward.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo got into a confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad, John, after the elder Haliburton walked onto the court and waved a towel with the Pacers point guard’s image in the face of the two-time MVP.
John Haliburton and Antetokounmpo had to be separated, and he and Tyrese later apologized for the incident.
“Me and my pops have talked about that,” Tyrese Haliburton said in his postgame news conference. “I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. I think 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. We had a conversation. He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, I’ll come to him to celebrate. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there. Unfortunate what happened at the end there.”
John Haliburton was also contrite, taking to social media to apologize.
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“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” he posted on X. “This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
Some don’t think he should even have the opportunity to make the mistake again.
On ESPN’s “Get Up!” Wednesday morning, host Ryan Clark went in on John Haliburton, saying he should be banned from attending games.
“I believe he should never be allowed to be at another basketball game,” Clark said. “He shouldn’t be allowed… he shouldn’t be able to come to the suite. Punish him. If you’re going to go on the court, if you’re going to be big and bad, if you’re going to put yourself above the game, don’t come to the game. Ever. You have to make a stand, so no one else does this.”
TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew was a little more measured in their condemnation, though mostly agreed John Haliburton was in the wrong.
“What’s his dad doing on the court? He’s not supposed to be on the court. He’s an idiot and if don’t you think that, you’re an idiot, too,” Charles Barkley said.
With Kenny Smith adding: “Because you pay for a ticket, it doesn’t entitle you to be on the court.”
Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t so moved: “I don’t care. It comes with the territory,” saying Antetokounmpo should have ignored John Haliburton. “I played 19 years; it happened plenty of times. It comes with the territory… Don’t be a punk and whine about it.”
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said he and members of the Pacers spoke with John Haliburton after the game, but it’s unclear at this point what, if any, type of punishment will be handed down either by the Pacers or the NBA.
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