What better time to stir up a post-game scuffle than right after getting bounced from the playoffs, right? Giannis Antetokounmpo might not have intended it, but emotions were clearly running high. Following the Bucks’ first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, the Greek Freak found himself in the middle of two tense altercations. First came a surprising exchange with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton — a verbal back-and-forth that quickly drew attention. Then, as Giannis made his way through the post-series handshakes, things escalated again.
When he approached Bennedict Mathurin for a show of sportsmanship, Mathurin — still visibly upset about the knee incident from Game 3 — shoved Giannis while grabbing his jersey, clearly in no mood to let bygones be bygones. Despite all this, Tyrese Haliburton later acknowledged where the true blame lay — and it wasn’t on Giannis.
During the post-game presser, it was obvious that the Indiana Pacers star would be asked about the fight. It didn’t take long for the same to be brought up. Tyrese revealed that he did not know about the incident until he was far away from the court, and had to see it on video, just like the rest of us. While the context of that discussion is still unknown, the 2x NBA All-Star admitted to his father being in the wrong.
He stated “Me and my pops have talked about that but again, I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. You know, I think basketball is basketball. Let’s keep it on the court. He just got excited, saw his son make a game winner, came on the court”.
Even as Tyrese Haliburton explained, not everyone was impressed. The fight added insult to injury after Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. were eliminated in the playoffs’ first round for the third consecutive time, and fans wanted to make that known.
NBA Fans turn against Tyrese Haliburton after the scuffle between father and Giannis Antetokounmpo
One social media user attacked the Indiana Pacers player by writing “Some of the WEAKEST “fan” behavior I have ever seen. @NBA you better do something about this. This is your son’s moment, you should be absolutely ashamed by this weak s**t from your old man, @TyHaliburton22”. The netizen reacted after coming across a video shot as the Bucks-Pacers game had gone into overtime. With Pacers leading 119-118, John Haliburton could be seen giving Giannis an earful.
This is a developing story.
The post NBA Community Is Embarrassed For Tyrese Haliburton As He Breaks Silence On Father & Giannis’ Tense Exchange appeared first on EssentiallySports.
