Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

“The Man Paid His Dues”- Charles Barkley Wants NBA to Allow Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad to Attend Pacers’ Games

Charles Barkley wants the NBA to lift the ban on Tyrese Haliburton's father.

Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Former NBA star Charles Barkley wants the NBA to allow Indiana Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton to attend their games. The player-turned-analyst called on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to allow senior Haliburton to attend the upcoming two games of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Barkley said that he has “paid his dues” for his heated exchange with the Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Notably, elder Haliburton was involved in a heated confrontation with the Greek Freak after the Pacers’ Round 1 win over the Bucks. Following the incident, the Pacers banned him from their games for the foreseeable future. Though John Haliburton issued an apology shortly after the altercation, the franchise is yet to lift the ban.

Barkley said on TNT TV that Haliburton should now be allowed to attend the games. Chuck said, “I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow. Me and Draymond (Green) were talking, it’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building.”

Calling on Silver, he added, “Adam, I’m asking you – hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he’s been punished. And I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough, he will never do anything that stupid again.”

Charles Barkley wants John Haliburton to be unbanned

"He paid his dues. It shouldn't be indefinite. He's been punished enough. He would never do anything that stupid again."

(h/t @awfulannouncing )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 22, 2025

Also Read: Stephen A. Smith Lambasts New York Knicks After Game 2 Loss to Indiana Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals

Tyrese Haliburton Calls Out Charles Barkley on Live TV, Labels Him “Too Old”

The Indiana Pacers guard, Tyrese Haliburton called out Charles Barkley after the side put the New York Knicks 0-2 back in the series with a 114-109 win on Friday, May 23. In the post-game interview with Inside the NBA, Haliburton jovially labeled Barkley “too old”. He said, “You’re too old for that, bro. You’re like medium. You’re like medium, medium rare.”

Haliburton’s comments came as Chuck revealed his intention to eat at the St. Elmo’s Steakhouse as the NBA on TNT crew heads to Indianapolis for the next two games of the Eastern Conference Finals series. However, after the 25-year-old’s comment, Barkley responded by saying, “Oh, my God. I would never eat medium rare… I’m from Alabama, man. We’ll just throw some sauce on it.”

Notably, the Pacers will now host their conference finals rivals for the next two games, on Sunday, May 25 and Tuesday, May 27. They are leading the series 2-0 and would aim to wrap it up at home.

Also Read: NBA Playoffs Knicks vs Pacers Game 2: Pascal Siakam Goes off in the Big Apple as Pacers Leave MSG with 2-0 Lead

Charles Barkley

Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburotn

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.