INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton’s dad has been freed.
He will be allowed back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse starting on Tuesday for Game 4 to watch from a suite after missing the previous eight games following an on-court confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Pacers’ second-round series against the Bucks, according to ESPN.
Following that incident, the Pacers and Haliburton’s father, John, decided that he would not attend home or road games “for the foreseeable future.” That decision has now been rescinded, though Haliburton still will not attend road games.
Tyrese Haliburton celebrates series win over Bucks with his dad. NBAE via Getty ImagesFollow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
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“I love a father-son relationship,” Myles Turner said after Pacers practice on Monday of the decision. “I grew up with my father in my house. He was a big part of my life, and this is a very special moment, being in the NBA, in the conference finals and potentially going to move on. So I’m glad that a father gets to see his son play.”
After the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in Game 5 of that second-round series, John Haliburton went onto the court and waved a towel with his son’s face on it in front of Antetokounmpo while shouting, “This is what we f–king do.”
Antetokounmpo later approached John Haliburton, and the two went forehead-to-forehead as Antetokounmpo chewed him out.
In his postgame news conference, Antetokounmpo called John Haliburton’s actions “very disrespectful.”
John Haliburton was in an ugly incident with Giannis Antetokounmpo after first-round playoff series. XHaliburton himself called out his father’s antics.
“He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, and I’ll come to him to celebrate,” Haliburton said after that game. “But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I’ll talk with Giannis about it. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.”
John Haliburton later apologized to Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on social media following the incident.
Tyrese Haliburton does choking signal after Pacers won Game 1 of Eastern Conference finals against Knicks. APAfter hitting the game-tying shot to force overtime in Game 1, Haliburton struggled in Games 2 and 3 this series. He shot just 12-for-31 from the field and 5-for-18 from 3-point range in those two games.
Perhaps having his father back in the arena will get him back on track.
