In the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers took down the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 with the final game in the series ending 119-118 for the Pacers. In the final moments of the game, Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton scored the winning bucket over Bucks’ franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo. After the moment when the players were shaking hands, Haliburton’s father was caught on camera having a confrontation with Antetokounmpo.
After the match, the Greek centre was asked about his version of events. “At the moment I thought he was a fan,” Antetokounmpo said. “But then I realised it was Tyrese’s [father]. I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. [But] it was his dad … Coming in the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, [and saying], ‘This is what we do. This is what we F-ing do. This what the F we do.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful,” said Giannis on his take of the incident.
The former NBA MVP and NBA Champion admitted that he felt very disrespected by Haliburton’s father coming towards him and celebrating in his face the way he did.
“I’m happy for him, I’m happy for his son, and I’m happy that he’s happy for his son,” Antetokounmpo later added. “That’s how you’re supposed to feel. But coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me I think is totally unacceptable, totally unacceptable.”
After the incident, Haliburton said he spoke to his father and agreed that what transpired was wrong. John Haliburton then went on Instagram and posted an apology to Giannis for his actions.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” John Haliburton posted on social media. “This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
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