The father of the star of Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton apologized to several games after a confrontation on the ground with Giannis Antetokounmpo on Tuesday evening.
After his son Put the nail in the Bucks coffin to help Indiana move forward In five games, John Haliburton seemed to be in a verbal altercation With Antetokounmpo according to the final buzzer.
After the two shook their hands and started to exchange words, Antetokounmpo and Haliburton put themselves on the faces of each other and had to be separated.
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“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions after this evening's match,” wrote an X account under the name of John on Wednesday. “It was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will no longer make this error.”
The account, “@Papahaliburton”, had been inactive for three years before the apology.
John Haliburton joined several fans of pacers who rushed to hardwood after his son marked a lay-up winning in overtime to put the series in bed.
Antetokounmpo addressed the incident in A insightful response During his post-match press conference.
“For the moment, I thought he was a fan,” said Antetokounmpo. “But I realized that it was Tyrese's father. I love Tyrese. I think he is a great competitor. (But) it was his father. Coming into the ground and showing me his son, a towel with his face, (and saying):” That's what we do. This is what we do. I have the impression that it is very, very disrespectful.
“My father … My father is no longer with us. My father came to the family room and he was the most respectful person of all time. Can someone make fun of you or say something wrong. He said:” Don't worry. “That's how I grew up.
“So, when I see other dads-which is not lacking in respect, maybe if my son plays basketball, I could be on the field, I could be this on the field and as 20 years later, you can play this interview and say Giannis, you contradict yourself, but we will see in 20 years-but I tell you now how I feel.
“I spoke with him at the end and I think we are in a good place,” he added.
Haliburton, who posted 29 points, nine assists and five rebounds in victory, also addressed his father's actions after the match.
“I and my pops have spoken and I do not agree with what happened there,” said Haliburton. “I think he just became excited, saw his son doing a match winner and came to the field. We had a conversation and I think he should just allow me to play basketball, stay there and I will come to him to celebrate.
“I'm going to talk about it in Giannis,” added the native of the Wisconsin, saying that he would have a conversation with his father. “I don't think my pops were right there. It is unfortunate what happened in the end there.”
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The pacers of the fourth seeded sealed a date with the Cleveland horsemen in the conference semi-finals. The Cavs had the best record in the eastern season in regular season and swept Miami's warmth in the first round.
