Following a nail-biting finish in Indianapolis on Tuesday night, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo found himself in a heated exchange with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, after the Indiana Pacers’ series-clinching layup.
With just 1.3 seconds left in overtime, Haliburton’s clutch layup gave the Pacers a 119-118 win and a 4-1 first-round playoff series victory.
What followed was an intense confrontation that saw both teams clash at midcourt, marking a dramatic end to a chippy series.
A Heated Scene Unfolds
In the chaotic moments after Haliburton’s game-winning shot, Antetokounmpo, who had been sharing a hug with Pacers center Myles Turner, became caught up in a tussle with Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin.
The 6-foot-11 forward was eventually restrained by players and security, but the altercation escalated further.
Bucks player Kevin Porter Jr. also became involved, pushing Pacers players long after Mathurin had been escorted off the court by coaches.
The Unlikely Encounter
The situation took an unexpected turn when Antetokounmpo found himself in a confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John.
According to Antetokounmpo, John Haliburton had approached him while waving a towel featuring his son’s image.
Initially mistaking him for a fan, Antetokounmpo soon realized the man was Tyrese’s father.
“It was his dad… coming on the floor and showing me a towel with his [son’s] face,” Antetokounmpo explained, clearly taken aback by the gesture.
“This is what we do. This is what we effing do,” paraphrased Antetokounmpo, recalling what John said.
Antetokounmpo’s Reaction
Antetokounmpo didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration, calling the encounter disrespectful.
“I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful,” he remarked.
Tyrese Haliburton, however, seemed to agree, stating, “I don’t think my pops was in the right,” and mentioned he planned to speak with both his father and Antetokounmpo about the incident.
Reflecting on his own upbringing, Antetokounmpo shared that his late father had taught him to “be humble in victory,” noting that he didn’t believe in disrespecting others after a win.
He said, “It’s a green light for you to be disrespectful to somebody else. I disagree.”
Haliburton Shines in Victory
Despite the drama, Tyrese Haliburton played an instrumental role in the Pacers’ victory, scoring 26 points and dishing out 10 assists.
He also made a bold response to a recent poll in The Athletic, where he was voted the NBA’s “most overrated” player.
Haliburton shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter) writing: “Overrate THAT.”
A Tough Night for the Bucks
Antetokounmpo gave an all-out effort for the Bucks, finishing with a triple-double of 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Gary Trent Jr. also put up an impressive 33 points and hit eight 3-pointers.
However, Trent’s two costly turnovers in the final moments of overtime played a key role in the loss.
The first was a steal by Andrew Nembhard Jr., which led to a three-point play by Haliburton.
Then, with the Bucks holding a one-point lead, Trent mishandled an errant pass, turning the ball over and allowing the Pacers to take control.
The Pacers’ Solid Contributions
Indiana’s victory was also fueled by standout performances from Myles Turner, who contributed 21 points and nine rebounds, and Aaron Nesmith, who added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Nembhard made a crucial three-pointer to spark the Pacers’ late-game run and finished with 15 points.
Bucks Struggling with Injuries
In their attempt to avoid another early playoff exit, the Bucks made some lineup changes, plugging guards AJ Green and Porter Jr., as well as forward Bobby Portis Jr. into the starting lineup.
The team, however, was missing 10-time All-Star Damian Lillard, who was sidelined with a torn left Achilles tendon suffered in Game 4.
What’s Next for the Bucks?
With their playoff run cut short, the Bucks are now left to reflect on a season filled with highs and lows.
As for the Pacers, they move on to the next round, ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.
The NBA playoffs continue, but the drama from this series will not soon be forgotten.