Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts during a time out during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Former Cyclone Tyrese Haliburton – and his father, John – had social media buzzing this week, after the Indiana Pacer made a series-clinching shot to give his a team a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals in game 5 of the series against Milwaukee.
INCREDIBLE.
Tyrese Haliburton overtime game-winner to advance. pic.twitter.com/Smau9ScsJY
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025
Haliburton finished with 26 points, nine assists, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks, becoming the first NBA player to put up a playoff statline like that since Lebron James in 2016.
Tyrese Haliburton tonight:
26 PTS
5 REB
9 AST
3 STL
3 BLKFirst player to reach these numbers in a playoff game since LeBron James in 2016. pic.twitter.com/JgKpsVkLlC
— Polymarket Hoops (@StatMamba) April 30, 2025
It was a big moment for Haliburton, who’s turned into a star in Indiana.
Tyrese Haliburton reps this community
And we love him for it pic.twitter.com/NZD7XLBVvo— Wes Trueblood (@TruebloodWesley) April 30, 2025
The former Cyclone even commented on a recent NBA Player survey that was published – which only included answers from 90 players in the league, 13 of which said he was the league’s “Most overrated player.”
Overrate THAT
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) April 30, 2025
After the game, however, Haliburton’s father walked onto the court and can be seen celebrating in the face of Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Great look at Tyrese Haliburton’s dad coming at Giannis with some bullshit after the game. Incredible restraint from Giannis. pic.twitter.com/tvXoeoNgko
— Badger Steve 🧀🍺🦌 (@UW_Steve) April 30, 2025
Haliburton said that he had a conversation with his father, and has also talked to Antetokounmpo since finding out what happened.
“I don’t think that my pops was in the right at all there. … We will have a conversation and I’ll talk to Giannis it’s unfortunate we’re all grown men.”
Tyrese Haliburton on the confrontation his dad had with Giannis following Pacers-Buckspic.twitter.com/NJfCnPEfUR
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 30, 2025
John Haliburton released a statement over social media:
I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.
Here’s Giannis Antetokounmpo speaking about being humble and keeping his family away from postgame activities.
Antetokounmpo did say that he “loves Tyrese,” and also that John said to him, “This is what we f—ng do.”
Giannis has multiple all-time great press-conference answers on his resume. Add this to the list after he was asked about Tyrese Haliburton’s father taunting him on the court.pic.twitter.com/t8EIp9YrW7
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 30, 2025
Some on NBA shows had staggering opinions on John’s actions. Both Robert Griffin III and Myron Medcalf said on social media that he should be banned from games going forward.
The fellas had clashing opinions about the moment between Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s dad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/cbAFYTVhT6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 30, 2025
I also found this on Haliburton’s success in his career against the Bucks.
Tyrese Haliburton against the Bucks:
— 13 wins over last two seasons
— Knocked them out of IST
— Dame time celebration on Dame
— Game 3 game-winner (2024)
— 4-point play game-winner (2025)
— Game 5 game-winner in OT (2025)
— Knocked them out of the playoffs consecutive years pic.twitter.com/lt4uUj9Zcc— 🆁🆄🆂🆃🆈 (@PacersStatsMuse) April 30, 2025
I don’t know how much stock I’d put into the in-season tournament win, but if a player did that against one of my teams, I’d probably hate him, too.
Haliburton and the No. 4 Pacers will take on the No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, although the date a tip time for game 1 has not yet been announced.
