Tuesday night’s Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks was an instant playoff classic. The Pacers edged out the Bucks in a thrilling overtime battle to clinch their spot in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. But the excitement quickly turned to controversy after the final buzzer.
Emotions spilled over when Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, stepped onto the court and began jawing at Giannis Antetokounmpo. As John turned to walk away, Giannis responded and confronted him, sparking a tense exchange before Bucks staff intervened and separated the two.
Both Haliburton and his father addressed the incident postgame, with Tyrese admitting his dad was in the wrong and John offering an apology.
That didn’t stop the Inside the NBA crew from weighing in. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal clashed during the broadcast — with Shaq defending John Haliburton’s emotional reaction, while Barkley didn’t hold back.
“You can’t do that. His dad was 100 percent wrong,” Barkley said. “What is his dad doing on the court?! His dad is not supposed to be on the court. He’s an idiot, and if you think that’s right, you’re an idiot, too.”
Even Tyrese sided with Barkley, acknowledging that his father overstepped in the heat of the moment.
Despite the postgame drama, both stars delivered stellar performances. Giannis poured in a triple-double — 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists — in what may be his final appearance in a Bucks jersey. Haliburton led Indiana with 26 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.
Next up for the Pacers is a showdown with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. But for now, much of the spotlight remains on the courtside confrontation that stole headlines from one of the best games of the postseason so far.