Source: Justin Casterline / Getty
The Bucks blowing several leads late in the game, pushing it to overtime, the loss and of Damian Lillard, and what could be the end of Antetokounmpo’s Bucks tenure made for a heated moment when they lost 119-118.
Once the final buzzer sounded, it was no surprise that Antek ran up on Halliburton. The only issue? It wasn’t Tyrese Haliburton, but his dad, John.
Courtside, among media and fans, Antetokounmpo can be seen having a heated moment with the elder Haliburton, mouthing off forehead to forehead.
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Eventually, the staff separated them, but a different angle shows that Haliburton was the instigator. It shows a defeated Antek standing on the court as Haliburton taunts him.
Later, in the press conference, Antetokounmpo revealed that the heated moment kicked off when Haliburton started waving a towel with his son’s face on it, yelling, “This is what we do! This is what we f-cking do!”
Antetokounmpo says he was taught to be more humble in victory, so he felt Haliburton went about it the wrong way.
“I’m happy for him and I’m 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 it’s totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.”
Even Haliburton felt the same, disapproving of his dad’s behavior in the post-game interview as well.
“Me and my pops have talked about that and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. You know, basketball is basketball, and let’s keep it on the court,” he admitted. “He just got excited, saw his son make a game-winner and came on to the court. We had a conversation and he needs me to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, I’ll come over to him to celebrate.”
John Haliburton realized his mistake hours after he game ended; he apologized for his behavior on X.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,”
Haliburton tweeted. “This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
After blowing that 7-point season-ending lead in 40 seconds, Antetokounmpo didn’t stop with Haliburton; he also had an aggressive interaction with Bennedict Mathurin when he grabbed him by the back of his head and pulled him in. A shoving match ensued before it was broken up.
As we await the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Pacers and the
Cleveland Cavaliers, see how social media is reacting to the fiery ending to the first-round series below.
