The Indiana Pacers are back at it again—and this time, they brought some unexpected star power with them. After a tough 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers bounced back in style with a thrilling 130-121 victory in Game 4 on May 27.
Fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse were electric all night. Still, one familiar face stole the spotlight: John Haliburton, father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, made his return after a highly publicized ban.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Father Returns to See His Son Play
Before Game 4 tipped off, the buzz wasn’t just about Indiana’s game—it was about who would be watching from the stands.
It was revealed that Haliburton’s father was again allowed to attend Pacers games, ending a short but headline-grabbing ban. The ban was handed down after a heated moment during the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tyrese Haliburton’s dad, John is back in the building for Game 4 of Pacers-Knicks in Indy 🙌
(📸: @AP_Images) pic.twitter.com/7NH4s9CZVG
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 28, 2025
So what led to the ban in the first place? The incident happened on April 29, when the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in an emotional overtime win. As the final buzzer sounded, Haliburton’s father, overwhelmed with excitement, rushed courtside holding a towel with Haliburton’s face on it. He waved it near Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks star, upset after the loss, didn’t take it well. The two exchanged words in a fiery moment that quickly went viral. Though both Haliburton and his dad later apologized, the league banned John Haliburton from Pacers games, citing unsportsmanlike conduct.
He missed the next eight games — home and away — but still found ways to cheer on his son. He was reportedly spotted watching Game 1 against the Knicks at a bar in Indianapolis, celebrating Tyrese’s clutch buzzer-beater that sent the game into overtime.
That changed in Game 4. Haliburton’s father was back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, seated in a suite, wearing a bold blue hoodie with “Indy” written on the front. From there, he cheered loudly and proudly as the Pacers took control early in the game.
“Hell yeah, I’m glad Pops in the building, man, makes it more sweet. Definitely had something to do with it,” said Haliburton during the postgame interview.
Indiana started strong, leading by five points at halftime and never looking back. The Knicks tried to claw their way back into the game, but the Pacers’ offensive firepower proved too much to handle.
Haliburton’s Performance in Game 4
Haliburton has been rolling this postseason, averaging 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. He’s been the engine of Indiana’s offense, stepping up when it matters.
In Game 4, Haliburton also elevated his game to a historic level.
He dropped an impressive 32 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 15 assists while committing zero turnovers. With this dominant stat line, he became the first player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double with zero turnovers in a playoff game.
“This has become his thing. There will be a new statistical category, perhaps named after him somewhere down the line. I know he takes great pride in it, and that’s a motivating factor,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle about Haliburton.
The momentum is shifting with the series now 3-1. Haliburton will look to carry this form into Game 5, where he and the Pacers will face the Knicks next on May 29 at Madison Square Garden in a pivotal showdown.
