It’sd a familiar face at Gainbridge Fieldhouse that’s been missing for some time.
John Haliburton, the father of Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton, made his first public appearance since an on-court confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the playoffs.
After a tense interaction with the Bucks’ superstar, the NBA announced Haliburton would be suspended indefinitely.
That ban was finally lifted before game four of the Eastern Conference Finals, but papa Haliburton wasn’t in his usual spot.
Instead of courtside where he was after taking the floor to show up Antetokounmpo, Haliburton took a seat higher up in the arena away from the action.
John Haliburton, Tyrese’s father, is back in the building for the first time since his altercation with Giannis in the first round of the playoffs pic.twitter.com/9H61ptMW3s
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 28, 2025
When the ban was officially lifted, head coach Rick Carlisle welcomed the return of his star’s father.
“Glad he’s back,” Carlisle said during his pregame news conference. “You know a father should be able to watch his son play basketball, so we welcome him back.”
It paid off as Tyrese Haliburton had a career night. He finished game four with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists in the win. The most remarkable statistic? He finished with zero turnovers.
When asked if his dad’s presence had anything to do with it, Haliburton responded with a resounding “hell yeah.”
“I’m glad pops in the building it makes it that much more sweet,” he added.
John Haliburton’s showdown with Giannis Antetokounmpo
Let’s take a look at what started it all.
After the Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks, John Haliburton rushed the floor. Antetokounmpo was still on the court lamenting the loss, when Haliburton stopped and taunted the forward.
Giannis called the interaction “disrespectful” in a postgame interview.
Halliburton’s dad went straight to trolling Giannis instead of celebrating the win 💀 pic.twitter.com/7Fnpro6h9X
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) April 30, 2025
Both Haliburtons, father and son, apologized publicly for the incident and admitted fault. Antetokounmpo has since moved on.
Now with the ban lifted, John Haliburton can move on too and support his son from a little further away.
MORE: Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton passes Magic Johnson’s NBA playoff record