After getting outdueled 119-118 by the Indiana Pacers during Tuesday’s overtime Game 5 first-round road playoff clash, Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo lost his cool.
The two-time MVP engaged in a brief multi-player postgame scuffle and took exception to Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John. The latter sequence left NBA fans disappointed by Antetokounmpo’s apparent lack of class.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Displays Frustration After Being Bested by Tyrese Haliburton
Antetokounmpo did his best to will his shorthanded squad to victory, recording a monster triple-double. He finished with 30 points, 20 rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and two blocks, shooting 9-for-17 (52.9%). Meanwhile, his teammate Gary Trent Jr. added a game-high 33 points, five rebounds, five steals, and eight 3-pointers, shooting 12-for-25 (48%).
Trent drilled four of his triples in overtime as Milwaukee took a 118-111 lead in the final minute. However, Indiana mounted a furious comeback, scoring eight straight points to win the game. Haliburton led the charge, completing an and-one layup to cut the Bucks’ lead to 118-117 with 17.1 seconds remaining.
After the Pacers forced a turnover on the other end, Haliburton took Antetokounmpo off the dribble from the top of the arc. He drove past the nine-time All-Star and converted a game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left, part of his team-best 26 points. The basket ended Milwaukee’s season, with Indiana winning the series 4-1.
Following the contest, Antetokounmpo got involved in a tussle after a discussion with Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin. However, it was his confrontation with Haliburton’s father that garnered the most attention.
After shaking hands, the two exchanged words with their heads touching. Antetokounmpo then had to be pulled away to prevent the situation from escalating.
NBA Fans Call Out Antetokounmpo for Confrontation With Haliburton’s Father
Fans on X didn’t appreciate Antetokounmpo opposing the elder Haliburton, including some who questioned the former’s integrity.
“This is pretty low…. Leave it on the floor and just accept the result,” one fan said.
“Have some class Giannis,” another wrote.
“Classy taking ur anger out on a senior citizen,” one user remarked.
“HIS FATHER!? Giannis what we doing dog,” another commented.
“Giannis, leave dat old man alone,” one more added.
However, others asserted that Haliburton’s father was ready and willing to challenge “The Greek Freak.”
“Big Hali ready to square up,” one fan wrote.
“Gotta give Poppa Hali credit thoooo, he didn’t back off,” another said.
One fan also pointed out that another camera angle showed the elder Haliburton approaching Antetokounmpo on the court, seemingly initiating their conflict.
“For everyone showing Giannis confronting pops Haliburton without context…,” the user captioned the video.
Regardless, Antetokounmpo’s brief playoff run ends on a sour note, leaving his future with Milwaukee in question entering the offseason.