Fri May 23 00:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Barkley Calls on NBA to Lift Ban on Haliburton’s Father After Confrontation with Antetokounmpo**
**NEW YORK, NY** – NBA legend Charles Barkley has publicly urged NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the Indiana Pacers organization to reinstate John Haliburton, father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, and allow him to attend Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis. Haliburton Sr. has been barred from attending Pacers games since his on-court confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo following the Pacers’ series-clinching victory in the first round of the playoffs.
During TNT’s broadcast following the Pacers’ Game 1 overtime win against the New York Knicks Wednesday night, Barkley passionately argued that Haliburton had served his punishment. “Hey, my man paid his dues,” Barkley stated. “He did something really, really stupid. But he’s been punished. I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Games 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough, he will never do anything that stupid again.”
The incident in question involved John Haliburton sprinting onto the court to taunt Antetokounmpo, prompting a heated exchange that required intervention. Tyrese Haliburton swiftly condemned his father’s actions, while Antetokounmpo delivered a poignant speech on humility and respect. John Haliburton issued an apology the following day, and a Pacers spokesperson confirmed he would be absent from games “for the foreseeable future.”
The specifics of the ban, including whether it originated from the team, the league, or voluntary agreement, remain unclear. However, John Haliburton has remained absent from all Pacers games since the incident, including the entirety of their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Wednesday’s Game 1 victory over the Knicks.
Barkley’s plea adds a human-interest element to the high-stakes Eastern Conference Finals. Whether Commissioner Silver and the Pacers will heed Barkley’s call remains to be seen. The series continues Friday with Game 2 in New York before returning to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.
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