Tyrese Haliburton delivered a game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to seal the Indiana Pacers’ 119-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and clinch their first-round playoff series 4-1 Tuesday night.
But it was the moment after the final buzzer that drew even more attention.
As the Pacers celebrated, Haliburton’s father, John, ran onto the court and exchanged words with Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in a heated moment that briefly halted the postgame festivities at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Haliburton addressed the incident during his media availability, making it clear that he did not approve of his father’s actions.
“I don’t think my pops was in the right at all,” the All-Star guard said. “It’s unfortunate what happened in the end, but I think basketball should stay on the court.”
The 25-year-old said he had not seen the incident live and only learned about it after being shown a video in the locker room.
According to Haliburton, the emotions of the moment may have overwhelmed his father, who rushed the court after seeing his son hit the decisive shot.
“He just got excited, saw his son make a game-winner and came on the court,” Haliburton said. “But I think he just needs to allow me to play basketball and stay over there. I’ll come to him to celebrate.”
The tension followed an emotional finish in which Indiana closed the game on an 8-0 run in the final 34 seconds of overtime.
Haliburton scored 26 points and added 10 assists, shaking off a series of fourth-quarter misses before redeeming himself with the decisive drive past Antetokounmpo.
Despite a 30-point, 20-rebound, 13-assist performance from Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee collapsed late without injured guard Damian Lillard, who missed the game with a torn Achilles.
Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 33 points but committed two critical turnovers in overtime, including a mishandled inbound pass that set up Haliburton’s game-winner.
Indiana’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s 28-11, led by T.J. McConnell’s 18 points in 17 minutes, helping the Pacers remain undefeated in home playoff games with Haliburton on the floor.
Indiana now advances to face the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 set for Sunday.
Haliburton acknowledged the emotions and “war of words” that defined the series but reiterated his focus is on basketball going forward.
“We’ll have a conversation,” Haliburton said of his father. “Everybody’s grown men, and we’ll just go from there.”
