Picture Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton’s Father gets suspended from Pacers Games Indefinitely After On-court Confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo

The elder Haliburton recently issued a public apology on social media.

Picture Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers made a big announcement on Tuesday’s on-court confrontation between Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Haliburton, the father of Indiana’s point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Both were involved in a heated argument after the Pacers eliminated the Bucks from the first round of the NBA playoffs.

John Haliburton has been banned from attending Pacers games “for the foreseeable future,” per ESPN. The franchise made a bold step after the video of an on-court tussle went viral on social media. Even Haliburton was also asked about his father’s behaviour in the post-game.

“After conversations with Tyrese Haliburton’s father John Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers front office, John Haliburton will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future, a Pacers spokesperson told ESPN,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania on X.

After conversations with Tyrese Haliburton’s father John Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers front office, John Haliburton will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future, a Pacers spokesperson told ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 1, 2025

Also Read: Pacers vs. Bucks: Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winner in Final Seconds Eliminates Giannis and Bucks from NBA Playoffs 2025

John Haliburton Accepts the Decision from Pacers’ front office Following his On-Court Confrontation

As per the report, the Indiana Pacers’ front office made a final decision on John Haliburton, and Tyrese’s father accepted this ban. The elder Haliburton recently issued a public apology on social media.

“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again,” John Haliburton shared his apology on X.

I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.
— John Haliburton (@PapaHaliburton) April 30, 2025

During the Pacers’ Game 4 victory, John Haliburton lost his cool after his son’s game-winner against the Bucks, which helped Indiana to reach the conference semifinals. John went onto the court and approached Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Tyrese Haliburton also talked about the incident and said, “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.”

Also Read: WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s Father Involve in Heated Argument after Pacers Eliminate Bucks in NBA Playoffs 2025

During the postgame press conference, Giannis also shared his thought and called on-court behavior disrespectful.

“All I’ll say is that I believe in being humble in victory. That’s the way I am.” said Antetokounmpo. “At the moment I thought he was a fan. But then I realized it was Tyrese’s dad. I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. It was his dad, sorry. Coming in the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, [saying], ‘This is what we do. This is what we F-ing do. This is what the F we do.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Hopefully, Tyrese will shift his focus on conference semifinals. The Pacers will meet the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 team, the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Sunday, May 4.

Picture Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.