NBA Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Clashes With Rival’s Dad as Bucks Suffer Crushing Loss, Elimination

(Michael Conroy/AP photo)

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo took out his rage on a fan — who turned out to be a rival’s dad — after the Milwaukee Bucks suffered a playoff heartbreak at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

Footage posted to X showed John Haliburton, the son of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, waving a towel and talking smack to Antetokounmpo after the buzzer sounded Tuesday night.

Antetokounmpo, to his credit, kept his hands on his hips and stared straight ahead in silence.

But it didn’t last, as the Bucks power forward later came face-to-face with John Haliburton again. This time, Antetokounmpo put his head against Haliburton’s and the two appeared to exchange furious words before they were separated in a tense moment.

“Losing the game, emotions run high,” Antetokounmpo told reporters during a post-game press conference. “Having a fan — which, at the moment, I thought it was a fan — but then I realized it was Tyrese’s dad. Which, I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor.

Later in the night, John Haliburton offered an apology to Antetokounmpo in a post on X, saying, “I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”

Tyrese Haliburton also took issue with his father’s antics, telling reporters after the game that he didn’t know what had happened until he was shown a video of the confrontation in the locker room.

“We had a little talk about it,” he said. “I don’t agree with what transpired there. I think basketball is basketball and let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited.”

Tyrese Haliburton buried a layup with just 1.3 seconds left to seal the 119-118 victory in overtime for the Pacers.