David Haliburton to Absent from Pacers Games for Extended Period

David Haliburton, the father of Indiana Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton, will be absent from Pacers games for an extended period, according to a report.

The decision was made by the Pacers front office following an altercation between John and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers' comeback victory against the Bucks on Tuesday night.

John waved a flag with Tyrese's face on it in front of Antetokounmpo, prompting an emotional response from the Bucks player. "I've won a championship, they haven't. Not trying to minimize their effort. Coming on the floor and showing me his son's towel with his face, saying 'this is what we do. this is what we f'n do'… I feel that's very – very disrespectful," Antetokounmpo said.

Tyrese defended his father, stating that he was simply caught up in the emotions of the game: "I think it's the emotions of the game, he just got excited there. I talked with him, eventually I'll talk with Giannis. I don't think my pops was right at all there."

The Pacers will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in Cleveland.