Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton's dads share a courtside moment before Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Finals opener
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton. Image via: USA Toay sports
The Indiana Pacers have visited the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 of the NBA finals with high expectations. As the buzz around the game is sky high and fans are excited for the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Tyrese Haliburton clash, their fathers have shared a heartfelt pregame moment that turned heads.
Vaughn Alexander, Shai's father, and Tyrese's popular father, John Haliburton, were spotted posing for photographs together.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton's dads posed for a photo ahead of Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 matchup
As the 2025 NBA Finals tipped off in Oklahoma City, cameras captured a surprisingly tender pregame moment, not between players, but their fathers. Vaughn Alexander, father of Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and John Haliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, were seen together, smiling and posing for photos courtside.
With the spotlight on their sons and a championship series hanging in the balance, the gesture added a human layer to a high-stakes matchup.
The reunion between the two fathers carried added significance, especially for John Haliburton. His courtside appearance at Game 1 has been the talk of the town after a postseason that began with controversy.
Earlier in the playoffs, John was briefly banned from attending Pacers games following a heated postgame exchange with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The incident occurred after Tyrese Haliburton's clutch layup sealed a Game 5 victory to eliminate Milwaukee. The elder Haliburton confronted Antetokounmpo in the tunnel, prompting swift disciplinary action from the Pacers.
'I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game,' John Haliburton later wrote on social media. 'This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.'
yrese Haliburton and his father. Inage via:The Pacers barred him from eight postseason games following the altercation. However, as Indiana advanced deeper into the playoffs, the ban was quietly lifted. John reappeared in a suite for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis. He was also present when the Pacers clinched the series over the New York Knicks at home in Game 6, witnessing his son's triple-double (32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds) without a single turnover.
Tyrese Haliburton acknowledged the misstep but defended his father from harsh public criticism. 'The commentary around my dad got a little ridiculous. That's just sports media sometimes. It is what it is,' he said, per ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. He added, 'He was wrong, but I don't think any of us want to be defined by our worst moments.'
Speaking with The Indianapolis Star's Dustin Dopirak, Tyrese revealed how much his father's presence means: 'He means the world to me. He's been my biggest fan my whole life. My dad doesn't think I can do any wrong. He always tells me I am the best or I can be the best.'
Also Read:
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Meanwhile, Vaughn Alexander has kept a quieter profile, but his appearance alongside John sent a message of unity. It's also about family, forgiveness, and the journey of two young stars shaped by the men who raised them.
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