Tyrese Haliburton’s father lost his privileges to attend the Pacers’ games courtside after a controversial situation got him into a heated altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo before the misunderstandings were clarified. Following the Pacers’ Game 1 win against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Charles Barkley requested that NBA commissioner Adam Silver lift the ban on Haliburton’s entries into Pacers’ games in this year’s Playoffs.
Following Game 1 of the Pacers-Knicks series, Barkley appeared on TNT and sent a strong message to Adam Silver. He said, “I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow. He sent me a nice text tonight, I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow. Me and Draymond were talking, it’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building. Adam, I’m asking you, hey, my man paid his dues, he did something really, really stupid, but he’s been punished, and I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Games 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues, it shouldn’t be indefinite, he’s been punished enough, he’ll never do something that stupid again, so Adam, you know how much I love you and my man Kevin Pritchard, y’all let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3.”
Why Was Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad Banned From Attending Indiana Pacers’ Games?
The Pacers rallied to eliminate the Bucks in five games during their first-round series in a 119-118 OT thriller. While the Pacers’ fans and players were celebrating, Giannis stood on the sidelines with John Haliburton (Tyrese’s father) and seemed to be having a heated discussion.
After the game, Giannis’ comments to the media made it clear that he was initially triggered by John Haliburton’s celebrations, which he felt were trash talk comments directed at him. John later even clarified that he meant no ill intention towards Giannis, and the duo simply clarified that and parted ways on the sidelines.
But, as a result of this altercation, the Pacers organization and the NBA banned John Haliburton from attending any Playoff games this season as he had entered onto the court to celebrate his son’s team’s win. While Giannis admitted he was initially pissed off due to feeling that John’s comments were directed at him. However, once it was clarified that John did not have any malicious intent towards Giannis, the duo parted ways amicably.
Now, Barkley is pleading with Commissioner Silver and President Pritchard to allow John Haliburton back into the games, as his son may be on track to lead his team to an NBA championship. Father to an only daughter, Christina Barkley, Charles probably empathizes with a father’s plight of not being able to see his child’s success and hence wants the league to forgive him.
