The father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has apologized for his actions following Indiana’s overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
John Haliburton was seated on the floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and after his son Tyrese made the game-winning shot in the final seconds, he ran onto the court and appeared to get into a verbal altercation with Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“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.”
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.
Video posted to social media shows Antetokounmpo standing at the top of the key with his hands on his hips when Haliburton’s father walks around from behind him and holds up a towel with Tyrese’s face on it in front of the dejected Bucks star. A member of the Bucks then steps in between them.
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 did say that 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. And I think we’re in a good place.”
