Milwaukee Bucks superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo got into a heated confrontation with John Haliburton, the father of the Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, after Indiana’s series-clinching 119-118 win over Milwaukee last night. While speaking to the media, Antetokounmpo said that John Haliburton was being “disrespectful” after the game ended.
“I believe in being humble in victory. That’s the way I am,” Antetokounmpo said after the loss. “A lot of people out there that are like, no, when you win the game, you gotta talk sh*t, and it’s a green light for you to be disrespectful towards somebody else. I disagree. I’ve won a championship. They haven’t.”
Once the game ended, John Haliburton walked onto the court and began waving a towel in celebration at Antetokounmpo while standing in front of him. Antetokounmpo said that Haliburton was also swearing at him during this celebration.
So Tyrese Haliburton dad can come on the court and flex in Giannis face like he played in the game but if Giannis touched him it’s a suspension and 50k fine lmao pic.twitter.com/Y3BXgeuCNC
— John (@iam_johnw) April 30, 2025
“When we won a championship, I remember my mom. She was scared to cross [the court]. She was like. ‘Am I allowed to come and hug my son?'” Antetokounmpo explained. “Losing a game, emotions run high. Having a fan – which at the moment, I thought he was a fan, but then I realized he was Tyrese’s dad… coming on the floor and showing me his son’s towel with his face… I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”
Shortly after this interaction, Antetokounmpo began shouting at John Haliburton on the sidelines with his head pressed up against Haliburton’s forehead. Eventually, Antetokounmpo and Haliburton were separated by Bucks players as well as security officials. However, Antetokounmpo clarified that he thinks he and Haliburton resolved their issues.
“I talked with him at the end,” he said. “I think we’re in a good place.”
Tyrese Haliburton stated that he didn’t remember a lot of what happened after the win.
“I had no idea it happened until I got to the back and was showed the video. Me and my pops have talked about that, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him,” said the two-time All-Star during the postgame press conference. “Basketball is basketball, and let’s keep it on the court. I think that he just got excited, saw his son make a game-winner, and came on the court, but we had a conversation. I think he just needs to allow me to play basketball. Stay over there, and I’ll come to him to celebrate.”
Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s father exchange words.
(via @MrBuckBuckNBA)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025
“I’m happy for him, and I’m happy for his son, and I’m happy that he’s happy for his son. That’s how you’re supposed to feel,” Antetokounmpo said. “But coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me, I think is totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.”
John Haliburton posted an apology on social media early this morning.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” he wrote. “This was not a good reflection on our sport, or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
