Tyrese Haliburton’s father issued an apology for his role in a postgame confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo following the Indiana Pacers’ 119-118 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
John Haliburton took to X to apologize to Antetokounmpo after their confrontation at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis following the Pacers’ series-clinching win.
“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 wrote.
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
Video showed the elder Haliburton walking onto the court following Indiana’s win and seeking out Antetokounmpo to taunt him. Antetokounmpo labeled the interaction “disrespectful.” Tyrese Haliburton said his father’s actions were wrong, and that he planned to reach out to Antetokounmpo to apologize for the situation.
"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."
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 30, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton on the confrontation his dad had with Giannis following Pacers-Buckspic.twitter.com/NJfCnPEfUR
Antetokounmpo was also involved in a separate scuffle with Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin following the game as the Bucks were eliminated in five games.
There is a clear consensus that Haliburton’s father crossed a line in the moment, and he seems to realize it himself. The situation created a fairly unsavory scene for the Pacers in what should have been a triumphant moment for the team.
