• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Pacers Ban Tyrese Haliburton’s Father for ‘Forseeable Future’

The father of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton won’t attend games in the near future after confronting Giannis Antetokounmpo on Tuesday.

Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the third quarter during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum.
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

John Haliburton won’t be getting in the faces of any NBA players anytime soon. 

The father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton “will not attend the team’s home and road games for the foreseeable future” after conversations between John and the front office, according to ESPN. The decision was made by the team’s front office and John Haliburton accepted the consequences, ESPN reported. 

The elder Haliburton went viral on Tuesday after Tyrese hit a series-clinching game-winner to  beat the Bucks 119–118 in a 4–1 series win. Immediately after the game, John Haliburton walked up to Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and taunted him, which led others to separate the two. 

Antetokounmpo handled the situation gracefully in his postgame press conference and said he spoke with John Haliburton afterward.  

“Losing the game, emotions run high,” Antetokounmpo said. “Having a fan—which at the moment I thought it was a fan, but then I realized it was Tyrese’s dad. Which I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. His dad coming on the floor and showing me his son—a towel with his face on [it], [saying] ‘This is what we do. We do this.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Tyrese Haliburton denounced his father’s actions as well and said he was unaware of the situation until he was off the court. 

“I don’t agree with what transpired there from him,” Haliburton said. “He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there and I’ll come to him to celebrate. But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I’ll talk with Giannis. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.”

The incident drew reminders of the Malice at the Palace debacle when Pistons and Pacers players fought both each other and fans in 2004 that led the NBA to beef up its security procedures in arenas. Coincidentally, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was the team’s coach during the brawl in what was his first stint as the team’s head coach. 

The Pacers will play the Cavaliers in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 is on Sunday. The Pacers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA Doubles Down on MLK Day Amid NFL Christmas Competition

NBC also announced the first NBA games that will be exclusively streamed.

Fever-Sky Viewership Dips As Clark, Reese Absences Take Toll

It was the eighth game between the two teams since last year.
Bill Chisholm

Wyc Grousbeck Won’t Continue As Lead Celtics Governor After Sale

Two sources said that Grousbeck will keep the CEO title.

Featured Today

Schultz of Israel-Premier Tech

Rice Krispies Treats Are Upending the Billion-Dollar Athlete-Fuel Wars

The world’s most elite athletes are eating like first graders.
Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field
August 9, 2025

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Aug 10, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Scottie Scheffler chips from the rough on 17th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf.

Scheffler Seals Another $5M Bonus Before Penultimate Playoff Event

The golfer has now earned $23 million in bonus money this season.
Sep 21, 1970; Cleveland, OH, USA;FILE PHOTO: New York Jets quarterback (12) JOE NAMATH throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first ever Monday Night Football game. Namath was intercepted 3 times in the game. The Browns won the game in front of a record Cleveland football crowd of 85,703 at Cleveland Stadium.
August 11, 2025

‘Time Is a Flat Circle’: How NFL QB Power Has Ebbed and..

Many QBs are firmly in the managerial class.
Justin Rose lines up a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on August 10, 2025.
August 11, 2025

Justin Rose Pockets $3.6 Million, Becomes Oldest Tour Winner Since 2021

Rose secured a Tour Championship spot for the first time since 2019.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
August 10, 2025

Caitlin Clark Feels ‘Responsibility’ to Play With Ratings, Tickets in Mind

Caitlin Clark has missed 13 of 32 regular-season games this season.
August 10, 2025

Son Heung-min Makes MLS Debut After $26M Transfer to Near-Sellout

Son played just four days after LAFC announced his permanent transfer.
August 6, 2025

Ukrainian Tennis Star Blames Sports Bettors for Death Threats

Svitolina is currently ranked No. 13 in the world.
August 6, 2025

After Draft-Day Snub and Drama, Sanders to Start Preseason Opener

Multiple injuries mean Sanders gets the nod for the opening preseason game.