Tyrese Haliburton Shifts Focus on Pacers Legend After Blaming Father for Giannis Antetokounmpo Fallout

After a wild finish to the Pacers’ series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Bucks, emotions ran high on and off the court. Indiana pulled away in a narrow overtime 119-118 victory, closing out the first-round series in five games. But post-game tension flared when cameras caught Giannis Antetokounmpo in a heated exchange with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John.

Tyrese addressed the incident calmly: “I had no idea what happened until I was in the back and was shown the video,” he said. “Me and my pops have talked about that, and I don’t agree with what transpired there from him. I think basketball is basketball, let’s keep it on the court. I think he just got excited when I hit the game-winner.”

With the dust settling, Haliburton didn’t dwell on the off-court drama. Instead, he steered the spotlight toward his evolving legacy in Indiana—one rooted in admiration for franchise icon Reggie Miller. “Any time I’m mentioned in the same breath as Reggie, it’s an honor,” Haliburton said.

“I’m trying to write my own story… I mean, Reggie made a lot of plays for lot of you guys when you were younger… reason why he is such a legend here…I think he laid the groundwork, and I’m just trying to get to that level…I am trying to create moments of my own that we can talk about one day,” he further elaborated.

“Any time I’m mentioned in the same breath as [Reggie Miller], it’s an honor”

Tyrese Haliburton speaks on drawing comparisons to the Pacers legend after adding another huge moment to his career pic.twitter.com/g25G9GyQpF

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2025

As the Pacers advance, Haliburton is focused on making moments that matter—and building something fans can believe in for years to come.

(Developing story…)

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