Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton would like to see his father, John, be allowed to attend their games again. Following the Pacers' 114-109 win over the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Charles Barkley hilariously called for John to be freed on Inside the NBA, and Tyrese agreed.
"Free pops till it's backwards," Haliburton said.
John was involved in a tense exchange on the court with Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 in the first round. The elder Haliburton was widely criticized for his actions that night, and he'd later apologize to Antetokounmpo, the Bucks, and the Pacers.
Despite the apology, the Pacers' front office decided that John would not attend the team's home and road games for the foreseeable future. Haliburton was asked for his thoughts on that decision not long after, and he made it clear he hadn't taken issue with it.
"This is the last time I'll address this at all," Haliburton said. "But I understand the decision made by our organization and the league. I've spoken on it many times, that my father was in the wrong, but at the end of the day, it's my dad. So I'm not going to ridicule him by any means. Still have a lot of love for him. I love him dearly.
"He's going to sit at home and watch the games," Haliburton continued. "He'll be just fine. We talk every day. It's going to be totally fine. Again, we understand the decision, understand the repercussions of it. It is what it is, but that's my dad."
John doesn't appear to have been watching games at home since then. He was seen dancing at a bar after the Pacers beat the Knicks in Game 1, and one can only imagine how thrilled he would have been after Game 2.
The Pacers have now won both games in New York to go up 2-0 and are firm favorites in this series. Haliburton wasn't quite able to replicate his heroics from Game 1, where he had 31 points and 11 assists, finishing with 14 points (5-16 FG), eight rebounds, 11 assists, and two steals in Game 2.
Fortunately for the Pacers, Pascal Siakam stepped up with 39 points (15-23 FG), five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Myles Turner also came up big down the stretch, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers are now in a commanding position as the series shifts to Indianapolis. Victory in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 8 PM ET would see them have one foot in the NBA Finals, as no team has ever blown a 3-0 lead in the playoffs.
Will John be in the building for that pivotal clash? Well, time will tell. Barkley has played his part to help him out, as he had publicly requested that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Pacers' president Kevin Pritchard allow the elder Haliburton back in the arena for Game 3.
Barkley felt John had paid his dues and that he wouldn't do anything that stupid ever again. You would like to think he has learned his lesson, but the Pacers might be a bit hesitant to allow him back at games this soon.
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