John Haliburton, Father Of Tyrese Haliburton, Banned From Pacers Games After Game 5 Incident

In a dramatic turn of events following the Indiana Pacers’ thrilling playoff victory, John Haliburton — father of All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton — has been banned from attending Pacers games for the foreseeable future. The decision comes in the wake of a heated courtside confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo moments after Tyrese’s game-winning shot eliminated the Bucks from the postseason.

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An Emotional Night Turns Controversial

Tuesday night was meant to be a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and rising stardom. With just 1.3 seconds left on the clock in overtime, Tyrese Haliburton weaved through defenders and delivered a clutch layup to give the Pacers a dramatic 119-118 Game 5 victory. The shot not only sealed Indiana’s first-round triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks but also sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy.

Tyrese Haliburton’s father was on the court before they exchanged words.
(via @NateInSix)pic.twitter.com/o1hf3AMtmM https://t.co/hDBnxUI9lS— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025

But amid the euphoria, emotions boiled over. John Haliburton stormed the court, towel in hand — a towel printed with Tyrese’s image — and approached Giannis Antetokounmpo, who stood still, visibly disheartened by the loss. The encounter turned into a heated face-to-face exchange, triggering security intervention and sparking a controversy that now overshadows one of the Pacers’ most thrilling playoff victories in recent years.

Confrontation Unfolds in Real Time

According to video and multiple eyewitness accounts, John Haliburton approached Giannis directly after the buzzer, waving the towel and reportedly shouting at the two-time MVP. “This is what we f—— do,” John allegedly said, as recounted by Giannis during his postgame press conference.

“At the moment, I thought he was a fan,” Antetokounmpo explained. “But then I realized it was Tyrese’s [father]. Coming on the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, and saying, ‘This is what we effing do.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s father exchange words.
(via @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/BgTZfRMXVQ— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025

The two went forehead-to-forehead in a visibly intense moment before players and stadium personnel rushed in to separate them. The incident quickly gained attention across social media, turning a celebratory moment into a PR firestorm.

Tyrese Haliburton Distances Himself from the Incident

Tyrese Haliburton, still in the postgame afterglow, was unaware of the incident when it occurred. When asked about it later in the locker room, he did not shy away from expressing disappointment in his father’s actions.

“As far as the incident between Giannis and my pops, I had no idea it happened until I got to the back,” Tyrese said. “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.”

“Me and my pops have talked about that, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him…I think that he just got excited, saw his son make a game-winner, and came on the court.”
— Tyrese Haliburton(h/t @ClutchPoints)pic.twitter.com/CCFRrZxn5G https://t.co/kKlGwTYjie— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025

Tyrese added further, emphasizing his desire to focus solely on basketball: “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.”

John Haliburton Speaks Out

In the wake of mounting criticism, John Haliburton addressed the situation on social media, offering a public apology: “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.”

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

John Haliburton later elaborated during an interview with TMJ4 News, offering insight into his emotional state at the time. “Going out on the court, that was wrong. I should have found a way to restrain myself, but I was in the moment.”

John Haliburton also disputed Giannis’s version of the events: “It upset me because it was a lie, right? I never said that to him. I do not swear. You can’t do anything to me to make me swear.”

Despite their heated confrontation, John Haliburton claimed the two ended the exchange peacefully. “I said, ‘I love you.’ He said back to me, ‘I love you.’ We patted chest, he gave us a thumbs up, and he walked away.”

Pacers Take Action against John Haliburton to Maintain Order

Following internal discussions between John Haliburton and the Pacers’ front office, the organization made the decision to suspend John from attending both home and away games indefinitely.

“After conversations with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, and the Indiana Pacers front office, John Haliburton will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future,” a Pacers spokesperson told ESPN.

ESPN story on the decision for Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s dad, John, not to attend home and road games for the foreseeable future: https://t.co/vvFqJzDgoz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 1, 2025

Michael Preston, the Pacers’ Vice President of Communications and Media Relations, added context: “This is about player safety, professionalism, and ensuring that emotions don’t spill over into actions that distract from the game.”

Giannis Shows Poise Amid the Chaos

Despite being on the receiving end of the confrontation, Giannis Antetokounmpo maintained a composed and measured response throughout the ordeal.

“I believe in being humble in victory,” Giannis said postgame. “A lot of people out there 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. I disagree.”

He later confirmed the two shared a conversation before parting ways. “I talked with him at the end, and I think we’re in a good place.”

The Fallout and Online Reaction

The altercation quickly sparked a wave of reactions across social media platforms. Fans, analysts, and former players chimed in on social media, debating everything from courtside behavior to the role of family members in high-stakes professional sports.

Some viewed the act as a passionate father standing up for his son; others saw it as an unnecessary intrusion into a professional setting.

“There’s a line between supporting your kid and stealing the moment from them,” wrote one fan on X. “This should have been Tyrese’s night.”

Redefining Boundaries: Sportsmanship and Fan Conduct

The incident has also opened up broader discussions around sportsmanship, fan conduct, and the emotional stakes tied to playoff basketball. The NBA, already under scrutiny for on-court confrontations and fan behavior, may need to reexamine how courtside access is regulated, especially during emotional, high-stakes moments.

For now, no league-imposed penalty has been issued, but the Pacers’ internal suspension of John Haliburton serves as a strong organizational statement.

Moving Forward: Pacers vs. Cavaliers

The Indiana Pacers will now advance to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, beginning Sunday, May 4. Tyrese Haliburton, fresh off a heroic series performance, will be looking to lead his team deeper into the playoffs.

Absent from the sidelines will be his father, whose emotional actions have created a ripple effect far beyond the final score.

For Tyrese, the goal remains clear. In his own words: “He needs to allow me to play basketball.” As the young star gears up for the next challenge, the focus returns to the hardwood — where the drama belongs.

Reflections Beyond the Hardwood: Emotion, Accountability, and Growth

In a playoff defined by buzzer-beaters and heartbreak, this episode serves as a sharp reminder: emotion in sports is both a gift and a hazard. John Haliburton’s passion as a father is undeniable, but in the highly controlled environment of professional sports, even a moment of overexcitement can have lasting repercussions.

What should have been a pure basketball memory for the Haliburton family is now clouded by controversy. Yet in his honest reflection and apology, John has taken the first step toward making amends. And in Tyrese’s level-headed response, fans have seen a young leader stepping fully into the spotlight.

As the playoffs continue, so does the story of Tyrese Haliburton — not just as a basketball player, but as a son, a teammate, and a rising figure in the NBA.

Stay tuned: The next chapter begins Sunday.