Tyrese Haliburton's dad returns to Pacers home games after NBA lifts ban sparked by Giannis incident — here's why it matters right now
Tyrese Haliburton's father,
John Haliburton
, has been cleared to attend Indiana Pacers home games again, starting with Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, May 27. This decision comes after he missed eight games due to a confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round of the playoffs. While he will be present at home games, he will continue to stay away from road games.
After being absent for eight straight games due to a heated incident with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo,
John Haliburton
is officially back in the stands — but only for
Indiana Pacers home games
. This decision was confirmed just ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the
Pacers
are currently leading the New York Knicks 2-1.
Why was Tyrese Haliburton's dad banned from Pacers games?
It all started on April 29 during the Pacers-Bucks series. After a fiery playoff game,
John Haliburton
was involved in a confrontation with
Giannis Antetokounmpo
. Reports from
ESPN
revealed that he got too close to the court and exchanged words with the Bucks' forward, escalating tensions. This led the NBA to quietly bar him from attending games — a move that sparked major debate among fans and analysts alike.
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Both Giannis and Tyrese expressed disappointment over the incident. Tyrese told the press he understood the league's position, while John Haliburton issued a public apology, acknowledging he had crossed the line. The ban, although not officially labeled as such, resulted in him missing eight critical games during the playoffs — including the entire second-round series.
What made the NBA change its mind about Haliburton's dad?
The turning point came after strong public support, especially from NBA legend
Charles Barkley
. Speaking on
Inside the NBA
, Barkley said,
'He's been punished enough. Let the man watch his son play.'
His comments went viral, and fans rallied behind the idea that the punishment no longer fit the offense.
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With the Pacers back on home court, the NBA has now reversed its decision — but only partially. According to a report by
Men's Journal
, John Haliburton will be allowed to attend
only
Pacers
home games
for the rest of the postseason. He will remain absent from road games to avoid potential backlash or tension.
How is Tyrese Haliburton performing in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
Tyrese Haliburton
has been the driving force behind Indiana's deep playoff run. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Haliburton dropped 26 points, including a game-tying shot that pushed the Pacers into overtime. They went on to beat the Knicks 138-135.
So far in the playoffs, Haliburton is averaging
20.5 points
,
9.6 assists
, and
4.2 rebounds
per game. His playmaking, court vision, and leadership have been crucial to Indiana's success. With the
Pacers
now leading the series 2-1, Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, May 27 is shaping up to be a pivotal matchup — and yes,
his dad will be there to watch
.
What's the reaction from fans and media?
Fans have been overwhelmingly supportive of the NBA's reversal. According to
Sports Illustrated
, social media lit up with joy when the news broke that John Haliburton could return. Many said it felt right that he'd get to support his son in person during the most important games of Tyrese's career.
One viral post read,
'Tyrese plays better when his dad's in the building. Bring him back.'
Another fan on X (formerly Twitter) joked,
'Giannis better watch his back – Papa Haliburton is home.'
Meanwhile, some NBA insiders believe the decision is a strategic move by the league to avoid unnecessary headlines as the playoffs intensify.
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