John Haliburton thrust himself into the spotlight by going onto the court to confront Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Indiana Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first-round series.
The father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was quickly handed a ban from attending any Indiana playoff games. It was recently confirmed that John will be allowed in the building for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals … on one condition.
John Haliburton Allowed in Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 4
Indiana led 3-1 in its first-round series against Milwaukee, but the Bucks built a seven-point lead with 40 seconds remaining in overtime of Game 5. Andrew Nembhard hit a three-pointer, and Tyrese converted an and-one opportunity to cut the lead to one with 17 seconds left.
The Bucks fumbled the ball away on their next possession, and Tyrese beat Antetokounmpo for a layup to seal the victory. In one of the more bizarre sports moments in recent memory, John then walked onto the court and got in Antetokounmpo’s face.
Milwaukee’s star confronted John, and the elder Haliburton was given an indefinite ban from attending Pacers’ games. The confrontation was unnecessary and awkward, and led to one of the all-time bad takes from Shaquille O’Neal.
After being unable to attend Indiana’s last eight games, the ban has been rescinded, and John will be in attendance for Game 4 against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania broke the news that the senior Haliburton would be allowed in the building for Game 4, tweeting: “Pops freed: Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, will be allowed to attend Pacers home games in a suite beginning with Tuesday’s pivotal Game 4 against the Knicks, sources tell ESPN. John Haliburton missed eight games following a confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo on April 29.”
He responded to that tweet with an update, saying, “John Haliburton will still remain away from Pacers road games, but he will be back to watch his son Tyrese and the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse starting with Tuesday’s contest.”
John Haliburton will still remain away from Pacers road games, but he will be back to watch his son Tyrese and the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse starting with Tuesday’s contest. https://t.co/cxl6GRK5Tb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
The rescinded ban comes with one condition, as CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland broke down: “The elder Haliburton’s absence was agreed upon by all parties after he lost his head in the celebration of the Pacers win, and there are still some stipulations on his return, as Charania notes he will be in a suite and not courtside for Game 4.”
Tyrese continued his clutch postseason play in his father’s absence. He ripped the hearts out of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their second-round series, and he hit a game-tying buzzer-beater against New York in Game 1.
This series already has a lot going for it. Indiana defeated a heavily injured New York team in the second round last year, and the winner will play in the NBA Finals. Inserting the elder Haliburton adds another layer of intrigue. If only he were allowed courtside to go head-to-head with Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet.
