Brutal moment Tyrese Haliburton's dad is confronted by Thunders fans after Pacers' NBA Finals defeat

10 hours ago 9

By JAKE FENNER

Published: 21:57 BST, 18 June 2025 | Updated: 22:00 BST, 18 June 2025

The Indiana Pacers had plenty to be sad about after a devastating Game 5 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals - especially after the loss of Tyrese Haliburton to injury.

Indiana, which lost the game by 11 points to OKC at the Paycom Center on Monday, is now on the brink of losing the entire series once again.

But after the game, when confronted by Thunder fans outside the arena, Haliburton's father John was able to withstand some chirping in a video posted to Streamable.

Wearing his son's jersey, he was surrounded by a group of fans who started playfully mocking him - which John took in stride.

One fan repeatedly said, 'What you think?' while others laughed at him after the loss.

But after a few seconds, the tone changed, the group showed their appreciation for his passion, and one person even posed for a photo with him.

John Haliburton was confronted by Oklahoma City Thunder fans after a loss in Game 5

It was a calmer moment than when John got face-to-face with Giannis Antetokounmpo

Tyrese Haliburton is questionable for Game 6 after suffering a quad strain on Monday

It's a much better situation than from earlier in the NBA Playoffs when he got in the face of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after Indiana eliminated Milwaukee in the first round.

John went on the court and waved a towel in celebration before bumping heads with the former MVP. 

Antetokounmpo called John's actions 'very disrespectful,' while the elder John apologized.

Tyrese even called out his father's actions: 'He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, and I'll come to him to celebrate.' 

'But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I'll talk with Giannis about it. I don't think my pops was in the right at all there.'

With the series shifting back to Indianapolis, Tyrese's health is the biggest question of the night. He's set to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of a calf injury he suffered in Game 5.

Haliburton is determined to play: 'It's the Finals, man. It's the NBA Finals. I've worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can. I was not great (in Game 5) by any means, but it's not really a though of mine to not play here. 

'If I can help walk, then I want to play. Gotta be ready to go for Game 6.'

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