For the first time in 25 years, the Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals. They are now just a few days away from potentially lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time. It took them 6 games against the New York Knicks to reach this stage, with the Game 6 score being 125-108.
For both the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton, this postseason has been nothing but eccentric. Believed to be underdogs, they stormed through the East, dominating the Bucks, Cleveland, and then the Knicks, giving one unforgettable moment after another. After the Game 6 win, a similar overwhelming moment occurred as Haliburton’s father joined the crowds in awe of this victory.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Father John Haliburton Overjoyed With Pacers Win
After diffusing the Knicks’ bomb, Haliburton and the Pacers were overjoyed, celebrating the win with immense joy. Joining them in the celebratory spirit was Hali’s father, John, who was loving every moment of it.
He went straight into the crowds on the court after the closeout game, looking emotional yet high-fiving every one of the Pacers’ fans in his way as he walked down. Check the moment out yourself!
John Haliburton, Tyrese Haliburton’s father, receives a warm welcome from Pacers fans. 🔥
(via @BenGolliver)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 1, 2025
During the stunning game, John mostly remained in the crowd, waving the Indy flag around and cheering the team on. As the Pacers advanced in the game, people also saw him showing off a jacket with Tyrese’s name written on the back in bold.
This win was truly glorious for both father and son, after a long 8-game ban on John after getting into a scuffle with the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Earlier this week, the ban was lifted, as he could only see the games from his suite in the arena. This time around, it was surprising to see him gel with others with no bad blood.
With the Pacers’ historic advancement to the Finals, John is now a beloved, local hero in Indiana.
From “Free Pops” To Melding Into Crowds
The altercation between Giannis and John Haliburton wasn’t a small one. After sending the Bucks home in the first round of the playoffs, John walked right over to Giannis, waving his towel with his son’s face on it in the Greek Freak’s face as he swore at him.
Tensions heightened as they went forehead-to-forehead, with Giannis even calling this situation “very disrespectful.”
Right after this, the Pacers front office decided that John wouldn’t attend any games, home or road, for the foreseeable future. After this ban, John was spotted at a local Indianapolis bar, watching the Knicks-Pacers Game 1, celebrating his son’s feats.
John publicly apologized to Giannis and the Pacers organization after the ban and the incident via social media. He wrote, “I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport, or my son and I will not make that mistake again.”
This led to a massive “Free Pops” movement among Indiana fans, with people wearing jerseys with slogans, chants across arenas, and multiple viral posts going around social media. Even Charles Barkley requested the organization to allow John to join Tyrese in the brilliance he’s showing on the court.
On Monday, the decision was rescinded, as the Pacers confirmed that the ban is now lifted. Before entering the crowds in Game 6, John was present in his suite, wearing a bright blue Indiana jersey, cheering his son on from an enclosed space.
