Image Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo had to be pulled back by team staffers.

Image Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers pulled off a great comeback in the final seconds to knock out the Milwaukee Bucks 119-118 in the first-round playoff series. It was the second straight year when the Bucks failed to cross the line against the Pacers in the opening round of the playoffs. After the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, exchanged words which went viral on social media.

First, both dapped each other and later, went into a heated exchange captured on camera. The conversation between the two was so intense that people separated them before any big drama.

Giannis Antetokounmpo just went face-to-face with Tyrese Haliburton’s father after the Bucks were eliminated in Game 5.

Giannis had to be pulled back by team staffers.pic.twitter.com/FeE6GgEwxS
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 30, 2025

The two-time NBA MVP gave acknowledgement to John Haliburton after the incident. The situation went under control as Giannis shook hands with other players. Indiana’s James Johnson also had a conversation with the Bucks superstar.

Also Read: Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors – Giannis Trade Rumors, Exit From Bucks Speculations Escalate After Damian Lillard’s Injury

How the Drama Unfolded? What Tyrese Haliburton Said on His Father Exchanging Words with Giannis?

Meanwhile, it was John Haliburton who started the drama as he triggered Giannis Antetokounmpo after the loss. Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot for Indiana. The Pacers overcame a 7-point deficit in less than a minute to win this game in overtime. The emotions were high for Haliburton’s father and talked something trash to Giannis.

INCREDIBLE.

Tyrese Haliburton overtime game-winner to advance. pic.twitter.com/Smau9ScsJY
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025

It was a completely fatherly moment for John, and he didn’t hold back the emotion after his son’s game-winner in OT. Giannis had to be pulled back by team staffers. The ‘Greek Freak’ had to be pulled back by team staffers.

Later in the post-game, Tyrese Haliburton was asked about his father’s behavior with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Indiana star, who scored 26 points, including a game-winner, said he had no idea about the drama that unfolded between his father and Giannis.

Haliburton shared that his teammate showed him the video and he immediately had words with his father. He feels John was just excited and involved in the argument.

“I had no idea what happened until I was in the back and was shown the video,” Haliburton said. “Me and my pops have talked about that, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. I think basketball is basketball, let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited when I hit the game-winner.”

Also Read: WATCH: Kevin Love Breaks Down In Tears As Former Teammate Tristan Thompson Embraces Him Following His Father’s Death

"I don't think that my pops was in the right at all there. … We will have a conversation and I'll talk to Giannis it's unfortunate we're all grown men."

Tyrese Haliburton on the confrontation his dad had with Giannis following Pacers-Buckspic.twitter.com/NJfCnPEfUR
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 30, 2025

The Pacers guard also said that he will have a conversation with Giannis Antetokounmpo personally. “I don’t think that my pops was in the right at all there. … We will have a conversation and I’ll talk to Giannis it’s unfortunate we’re all grown men, Haliburton concluded.

On the other hand, Giannis felt “disrespected” but added they have talked and “I think we’re in a good place.” “Losing a game, emotions run high,” Bucks star said in the post-game. “I thought it was a fan. It was his dad. I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. His dad coming on the floor & showing me his son’s towel with his face. ‘This is what we do. This is what the f*** we do.’ That’s very, very disrespectful.

Image Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Indiana Pacers

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Gulshan Sharma

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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.