Who Is Indiana Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad?
Even if you’re just a casual NBA fan, chances are you know exactly who Tyrese Haliburton is. The Indiana Pacers player has established himself as one of the best young point guards in the league. And if you watched his team’s playoff run in 2025, then you likely know who his father is too, but probably not for the best reason.
On April 29, his dad, John Haliburton, made headlines for a confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo after Tyrese hit the game-winning shot for a series-clinching victory over the Bucks. Many were shocked to see John rushing onto the court and instead of embracing Tyrese, stood in front of Antetokounmpo and began waving a towel, cursing, and antagonizing the Bucks star.
After that moment, Antetokounmpo learned that the man was Tyrese’s father and approached him by touching foreheads. The two exchanged words and were eventually separated.
Meanwhile, Tyrese had no idea any of this went on until he got to the locker room.
He then addressed his dad’s actions, saying: “I think he just got excited, saw his son make a game winner, and came on the court. But we had a conversation. I talked with him. I’ll talk with Giannis. I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.”
The Pacers’ front office later told John not to attend the team’s home or road games, and he missed the next eight games.
John taught his son how to play basketball when he was a toddler
John is the person who introduced his son to the game of basketball.
During a 2023 press conference, Tyrese shared: “My pops, y’all know, he’s the one who put the ball in my hand … he coached a girl’s middle school team … When I was barely old enough to crawl, my dad would make sure that one half of the court was reserved for me and one half for his team. So they were probably a great half-court basketball team.”
John later talked about bringing Tyrese to those practices when he was a coach, recalling: “I couldn’t go without him. I’m talkin’ 3 years old. He would take a girls’ ball and dribble that thing.”
Tyrese’ mother and father have always attended his basketball games
Pacers fans know that Tyrese’s parents are fixtures at his games. The athlete has previously spoken about that and how his mom and dad always worked hard to support him and his siblings.
Speaking about their support, Tyrese told NBA.com: “They were everything. My mom never missed a game of mine growing up, like ever. Every AAU tournament, every everything, she was always there. My parents both worked to make sure me and my brothers could do whatever we wanted.
“We were a middle-class family, not any more money than people around. But if I wanted this game, these shoes, that shirt, whatever, I got it. That just tells you how much they cared about us getting where we wanted.”
Did John ever apologize to Antetokounmpo?
Once John was spotted at the Pacers games again, some wondered if he ever apologized to Antetokounmpo for the incident.
Well, he did that very same night actually.
Just hours after their on-court spat, John took to X and issued an apology to not only Antetokounmpo, but also the Bucks and Pacers organizations, writing: “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.”
