Tyrese Haliburton’s dad, John, has issued a public apology to Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo following their altercation.
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers group for my actions following tonight’s recreation,” an X account underneath John’s title wrote early Wednesday. “This was not an excellent reflection on our sport or my son and I cannot make that mistake once more.”
I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers group for my actions following tonight’s recreation. This was not an excellent reflection on our sport or my son and I cannot make that mistake once more.
— John Haliburton (@PapaHaliburton) April 30, 2025
The account hadn’t posted something for the final three years for the reason that apology.
When requested concerning the incident after the sport, Giannis gave an especially considerate reply.
“In the meanwhile I assumed he was a fan,” Antetokounmpo stated. “However then I noticed it was Tyrese’s dad. I really like Tyrese. I feel he’s a fantastic competitor. [But] it was his dad. Coming within the ground and displaying me his son, a towel along with his face, [and saying], ‘That is what we do. That is what we F-ing do. That is what the F we do.’ I really feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.
“My dad … my dad’s not with us no extra. My dad used to come back into the household room and he was probably the most respectful particular person ever. Whenever you come from nothing and you’re employed your complete life to promote stuff on the street, your complete life you’ve been terrified of the police deporting you and sending you again to your loved ones and it’s important to defend your youngsters, you create this mentality of being humble your complete life. To not sort of disrespect anyone. To not make the eye excessive, the feelings excessive, so anyone can snitch on you or say one thing unhealthy about you. So when he got here right here, I bear in mind saying, ‘Dad, why are so that you humble? Why do you go into the household room and don’t say a phrase, you sit within the again? Why are you want that?’ He stated, ‘Don’t fear about it.’ That’s how I grew up. That’s what I had round.
“So after I see different dads — which no disrespect, perhaps if my son performs basketball, I is perhaps within the court docket, I is perhaps the one on the court docket and like 20 years later, you possibly can play this interview and say Giannis, you’re contradicting your self, however we’ll see in 20 years — however I’m telling you proper now how I really feel. Having someone’s dad — and I’m blissful for him and I’m blissful for his son, that’s how he’s alleged to really feel — however coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me is completely unacceptable.”
“I talked with him on the finish and I feel we’re in an excellent place,” he added.
Protected to say there’s a stable rivalry constructing between the Bucks and Pacers.
READ MORE: Giannis Addresses Wild Confrontation With Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad
