Blood is thicker than water, but wrong is wrong regardless of how you spin it. Chaos ensued following the Indiana Pacers’ 119-118 Game 5 victory, sending the Milwaukee Bucks home from the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s father got into a heated on-court confrontation immediately after the game. Haliburton responded to the incident during postgame media availability.
Although the Pacers eliminated their Eastern Conference rival in a heated five-game outing in the 2025 playoffs’ opening round, there is still room for mutual respect. Immediately after Tuesday’s game, the Pacers antagonized Antetokounmpo twice before the Bucks star exited the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court.
Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin enraged Antetokounmpo, but even with the physical outcome of such a moment, it paled in comparison to the scene of Haliburton’s father running up on Antetokounmpo, waving a banner with his son’s image in the Bucks’ star’s face.
Antetokounmpo stared at him, assessing the situation, and eventually found himself face-to-face with Haliburton’s 70-year-old father. Such a sight made for an ugly scene, and tainted what should have been a beautiful moment for Haliburton and the Pacers.
During the Bucks-Pacers postgame media availability, Haliburton expressed his opinion on the pressing matter.
“After we won, I kind of blacked out a little,” Haliburton said. “As far as the incident between Giannis and my pops, I had no idea it happened until I got to the back. I talked to my pops after, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. He needs to just allow me to play basketball. I’ll talk with Giannis about it. I don’t think my pops was right.”
Haliburton impressively showcased maturity and a respect for his playoff rival, but also revealed a healthy relationship with his father. Instead of simply hiding behind the win and allowing his dad to behave questionably, Haliburton nipped all concerns in the bud with one statement.
Not only did the Pacers’ point guard win the game, but he also put on quite a show in the media department.
Related: Rick Carlisle Compared Tyrese Haliburton to Who?
Related: Pacers Game 5 Comeback Win Triggers Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Crash Out
Blood is thicker than water, but wrong is wrong regardless of how you spin it. Chaos ensued following the Indiana Pacers’ 119-118 Game 5 victory, sending the Milwaukee Bucks home from the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s father got into a heated on-court confrontation immediately after the game. Haliburton responded to the incident during postgame media availability.
Although the Pacers eliminated their Eastern Conference rival in a heated five-game outing in the 2025 playoffs’ opening round, there is still room for mutual respect. Immediately after Tuesday’s game, the Pacers antagonized Antetokounmpo twice before the Bucks star exited the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court.
Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin enraged Antetokounmpo, but even with the physical outcome of such a moment, it paled in comparison to the scene of Haliburton’s father running up on Antetokounmpo, waving a banner with his son’s image in the Bucks’ star’s face.
Antetokounmpo stared at him, assessing the situation, and eventually found himself face-to-face with Haliburton’s 70-year-old father. Such a sight made for an ugly scene, and tainted what should have been a beautiful moment for Haliburton and the Pacers.
During the Bucks-Pacers postgame media availability, Haliburton expressed his opinion on the pressing matter.
“After we won, I kind of blacked out a little,” Haliburton said. “As far as the incident between Giannis and my pops, I had no idea it happened until I got to the back. I talked to my pops after, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. He needs to just allow me to play basketball. I’ll talk with Giannis about it. I don’t think my pops was right.”
Haliburton impressively showcased maturity and a respect for his playoff rival, but also revealed a healthy relationship with his father. Instead of simply hiding behind the win and allowing his dad to behave questionably, Haliburton nipped all concerns in the bud with one statement.
Not only did the Pacers’ point guard win the game, but he also put on quite a show in the media department.
Related: Rick Carlisle Compared Tyrese Haliburton to Who?
Related: Pacers Game 5 Comeback Win Triggers Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Crash Out
