Despite not being in attendance at MSG, Tyrese Haliburton’s dad made sure to make the most of the Indiana Pacers’ thrilling night.
After the Pacers stole Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a 138-135 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, John Haliburton channelled his inner Reggie Miller, and now his son, by recreating the choking gesture in a bar.
John Haliburton would have been desperate to be in New York to watch his son and the Pacers take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
Haliburton capped off a thrilling comeback for the Pacers after launching a shot from the top of the arc to force overtime.
After thinking he won the game in regulation, Haliburton ran to the sidelines and made the choke signal, a callback to Miller’s gesture to Spike Lee when leading a Pacers comeback over the Knicks in 1994.
The Pacers would go on to win in overtime 138-135 and take a 1-0 series lead.
John Haliburton watched the action unfold in a bar as he continues to serve his indefinite suspension from NBA games, after he confronted Giannis Antetokounmpo on court after the Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks in round one of the playoffs.
He waved a towel in front of the Greek Freak’s face which led to the pair having to be separated.
It means John Halliburton missed the entirety of round two against the Cleveland Cavaliers and now Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Such a lengthy ban saw Charles Barkley personally address NBA commissioner Adam Silver to allow John Haliburton back into games.
“It’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building,” Barkley said after Game 1.
“Adam, I’m asking you, hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he’s been punished.
Haliburton’s dad channelled Reggie Miller and now his son Barkley made a plea with Adam Silver to let Haliburton dad back into games@InsidetheNBA“He’s been punished enough. He will never do something that stupid again.”
Just before that, Barkley and Shaq were left visbily stunned by Haliburton’s game-tying shot and choke gesture.
Haliburton has been a vocal supporter of his son Tyrese and is often spotted at Pacers game, home and away, including Team USA matches.
After the incident involving Antetokounmpo, the Bucks star branded the moment as disrespectful.
“I believe in being humble in victory,” Antetokounmpo said after the game.
“A lot of people out there that are like, no, when you win the game, you talk shit and it’s a green light for you to be disrespectful towards somebody else. I disagree.”
Haliburton was not happy with his father either.
“I don’t agree with what transpired there from him,” Haliburton said at the time of incident.
“Basketball is basketball and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited, saw his son make a game winner and came on the court, but we had a conversation.
“He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there and I’ll come to him to celebrate. But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I’ll talk with Giannis. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.”
John Haliburton did apologize to Antetokounmpo and promised to not repeat his actions again.
Haliburton’s dad is currently suspended by the NBA from attending gamesGetty“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game,” he wrote on X.
“This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
It remains to be seen whether the Pacers front office and the NBA will listen to Barkley and let John Haliburton watch his son inside arenas again.
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