Tyrese Haliburton’s dad issues remorseful apology after ‘disrespecting’ Giannis in fiery exchange
Tyrese Haliburton's father offered Giannis Antetokounmpo an apology after 'disrespecting' the Milwaukee Bucks star on Tuesday night.
Haliburton's go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime secured the Indiana Pacers a dramatic series-clinching win in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs.
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The shot ended Milwaukee's season, and sparked wild on-court celebrations at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Giannis lingered after the sudden defeat, before Haliburton's father, John, ran onto the court and started talking to him.
According to the Bucks star, Haliburton's father waved a towel and swore at him.
The two were seen standing face-to-face as a heated exchange unfolded, before they were pulled away by Bucks players and team security.
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NBA cameras and many fans inside the arena filmed the incident, which soon went viral on social media, racking up millions of views.
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley got into a heated debate about the altercation on Inside the NBA, while Giannis also discussed it post-game.
"I believe in being humble in victory," Antetokounmpo said, as fans continue to speculate on his future.
"A lot of people out there that are like, no, when you win the game, you talk s*** and it's a green light for you to be disrespectful towards somebody else.
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"I disagree.
"His dad coming on the floor and showing me his son -- a towel with his face on, (saying), 'This is what we do. We do this.' I feel like that's very, very disrespectful."
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John Haliburton, who appeared to instigate the incident by running on court, later offered a remorseful apology to Antetokounmpo.
"I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game," he posted on X.
"This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again."
Pacers guard Haliburton, who was seen embracing his father during the celebrations, said he didn't know what happened with Giannis until he got back to the locker room.
Speaking after the playoff series win, he agreed that his father was out of line and said the two had a conversation.
"I don't agree with what transpired there from him," Haliburton said.
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"Basketball is basketball and let's keep it on the court. I think he just got excited, saw his son make a game winner and came on the court, but we had a conversation.
"He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there and I'll come to him to celebrate.
"But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I'll talk with Giannis. I don't think my pops was in the right at all there."
He added that there was 'a lot of personal stuff going on' during the series between the Pacers and the Bucks.
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"This series was a lot of war of words," Haliburton concluded.
"A war of antics. A lot of personal stuff going on. That's just part of this rivalry and what we've built here over the past couple years."
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