'Very disrespectful' taunt sets off fiery clash between NBA star and rival's dad

[ad_1] Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was so enthusiastic about Indiana's inconceivable additional time rally that he did not realise what led to the post-game scuffle between his teammates and the Milwaukee Bucks gamers after sport 5 of the 2 groups' first-round sequence within the NBA Playoffs.

Then he obtained to the locker room, watched the replay and winced when he noticed his father, John, on the court docket, confronting two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.

"I had no concept it occurred till I obtained again to the locker room and so they confirmed me the video of my pops," the two-time All-Star stated after he made the decisive lay-up with 1.3 seconds left to present Indiana a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 sequence win.

"We had slightly discuss it. I do not agree with what transpired there. I feel basketball is basketball and let's maintain it on the court docket. I feel he simply obtained excited."

Antetokounmpo wasn't happy, both, after his staff blew a seven-point lead within the ultimate 40 seconds of additional time, sending the Bucks to their third straight first-round exit. The 2-time MVP did not recognise John Haliburton, pondering he was simply one other fan who had run onto the court docket.

Antetokounmpo stated he likes Haliburton, calling him an incredible competitor, however he stated John Haliburton displaying a towel along with his son's picture whereas yelling "that is what we (expletive) do" was mistaken.

"I really feel like that is very, very disrespectful," stated Antetokounmpo, who completed with 30 factors, 20 rebounds and 13 assists.

Haliburton appeared genuinely upset in regards to the incident, promising to succeed in out to Antetokounmpo earlier than the groups play once more.

"I will discuss to Giannis about it will definitely," stated Haliburton, who grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. "I do not suppose my pops was in the fitting in any respect there. It is unlucky what occurred on the finish there.

"It is unlucky what occurred there (the scuffle), however I feel it is simply competitors," he added. "So far as my pops, I do not agree with what occurred there. We'll have a dialog."

Antetokounmpo advised a narrative in regards to the Bucks' 2020-21 championship season, when his mom attended each sport from mid-February via the title run. The Greek famous person stated his mom wasn't even positive whether or not she might come onto the court docket to hug him on the finish of the ultimate sport and famous that his members of the family sometimes do not sit courtside.

The Pacers and Bucks have met 20 instances over the previous two seasons, with the Pacers successful eight 11 Playoff video games and each post-season sequence in an more and more heated rivalry.