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The double MVP of the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was not satisfied with the release of the Milwaukee Bucks eliminators after the Pacers of Indiana were kept for a victory of 119-118 in overtime against the Bucks in match 5 on Tuesday.
Pacers Tyrese Haliburton struck the winning shooting of the match, crossing Antetokounmpo and leading to the basket for a lay-up on the right with 1.3 seconds.
But the discussion on the game focused on what happened after the playoff game.
Shortly after the final buzzer, Antetokounmpo congratulated several pacers players. Things became bizarre when he and the goalkeeper of Indiana Benédict Mathurin kissed and seemed to exchange words. Mathurin pushed Antetokounmpo, and an altercation between the teams ensued
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Giannis antetokounmpo, on the left. From the Milwaukee Bucks and Bennedict Mathurin, on the right, Indiana Pacers enter an altercation after match 5 of the NBA 2025 qualifiers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 29, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
Antetokounmpo was then involved in a confrontation with Haliburton’s father, John. The eldest Haliburton sat in a courtyard of Gainbridge Fieldhouse before running on the field. He then apologized for his actions.
The Pacers take place in the victory in match 4 after Bucks lost Damian Lillard because of the injury
“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions after this evening match,” wrote Haliburton on X. “It was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will no longer make this mistake.”
The Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton (0) goalkeeper steals the Ballon of the Milwaukee Bucks striker, Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in match 5 of the first round for the NBA 2024 qualifiers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Trevor Ruszkowski / Images Imagn)
On Wednesday, Haliburton shared some details on what he experienced during his exchange on the field with the Bucks superstar.
“When I turned around, it would have seen that I was looking at him, but I was really not,” Haliburton told TMJ4. “I looked through him. That’s how I was in the moment. I had the banner in hand, and I was crying. Giannis never told me anything. I never said to Giannis. There was no back and forth.”
Haliburton then offered an overview of the dialogue of animated interaction.
“He caught my hand, put his forehead on my forehead and said:” I don’t lack respect. I do not lack respect. “And I said to him,” I was not trying to disrespect you. Then I said to him: “I love you”. He said to me: “I love you”. We tapped chests.
The incident left Antetokounmpo in an apparent state of frustration. During an post-match press conference, Antetokounmpo quoted the importance of remaining “humble in victory”.
“One thing I will say is that I think I am humble in victory,” said Antetokounmpo in a three -minute answer to a journalist’s question in the matter. “That’s how I’m. There are probably a lot of people like:” No, when you win the game, you have to speak S —. “”
“‘It’s a green light so that you are disrespectful towards someone else.’ I do not agree.
It is not clear if the NBA will exercise a punishment against anyone involved in the Altercation on Tuesday.
