Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo criticised Tyrese Haliburton’s “disrespectful” father after the pair were involved in a heated exchange following the Indiana Pacers’ series-clinching win.
The Pacers booked their spot in the NBA play-off semi-finals with a 119-118 win against the Bucks.
Haliburton hit the go-ahead lay-up with 1.3 seconds left on the clock as the Pacers sealed a 4-1 series win and following the buzzer supporters entered the court to celebrate.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA most valuable player, was approached by what he thought was a Pacers fan, who taunted him with a towel that had Haliburton’s face on it.
The fan, it transpired, was Haliburton’s father.
“I believe in being humble in victory,” said Antetokounmpo.
“At that moment I thought it was a fan, but then I realised it was Tyrese’s dad.
“I love Tyrese – he’s a great competitor. His dad coming on the floor and showing me a towel with his [son’s] face on it, [saying] ‘This is what we do. We do this.’ I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”
Haliburton, who says he was unaware of his father’s actions at the time, has apologised to Antetokounmpo.
“I had no idea it happened until I got back to the locker room and they showed me the video of my pops,” said Haliburton.
“We had a little talk about it. I don’t agree with what transpired there.
“Basketball is basketball. Let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited.”
