The game of the NBA postseason unfolded on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Indiana Pacers completed a stunning 14-point comeback with less than three minutes remaining against the New York Knicks to force overtime.
Thanks to late-game heroics from Aaron Nesmith—who knocked down five consecutive three-pointers in the final four minutes—and a game-tying buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton to force overtime, the Pacers pulled off a dramatic 138–135 victory.
The win gave Indiana a 1–0 series lead and stunned the Madison Square Garden crowd, especially considering the Knicks had a 99.7% chance to win with just two minutes remaining, according to ESPN analytics.
But the drama didn’t end on the court. During the TNT broadcast, NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley made a heartfelt plea to commissioner Adam Silver.
Barkley urged the league to lift the ban on Tyrese Haliburton’s father, who was prohibited from attending games following a brief altercation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round. Barkley called for the NBA to allow him back in the arena—at least for Indiana’s home games—as his son continues to play in the biggest series of his young career.
Barkley emphasized that Haliburton’s father had served his punishment and deserved to be able to attend at least the home games in Indiana, especially given the magnitude of the moment of getting to watch his son play in some of the biggest games of his young career.
“It’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building," Barkley said. "Adam [Silver], I’m asking you, my man paid his dues. 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 Game 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues, it shouldn’t be indefinite, he’s been punished enough, so Adam, you know how much I love you, and my man, Kevin Pritchard, let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3.”
Barkley’s comments sparked a strong reaction from fans, many of whom supported his decision to use live television as a platform to call for a change to the league’s ban on John Haliburton.
"He’s speaking facts. Give him another chance and if he does something stupid again then that’s on him," a fan said.
Another person posted, "Chuck is right. His ban should be lifted."
"I hate Charles but he is right," someone else added.
"I have long said that Charles Barkley is the voice of reason in the NBA," a fan shared.
One more fan commented, "Charles be speaking truth, forgiveness is key, but does john even care at this point?"
11-time NBA All-Star and "Inside the NBA" host Charles Barkley.
11-time NBA All-Star and "Inside the NBA" host Charles Barkley.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Barkley, however, made it clear that John Haliburton should not be allowed to attend any games in New York, noting that his presence likely wouldn't be well received by Knicks fans—who are known for their intensity.
"Let me tell you something—he can't come up to New York acting like that," Barkley added. "If he comes to New York doing that crazy stuff, he won’t make it back to Indy."