CHARLES BARKLEY DEMANDS TYRESE HALIBURTON'S DAD HAVE NBA BAN OVERTURNED

• READ MORE: Dave Portnoy sticks the knife in the Knicks after loss to the Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton has been performing phenomenally for the Indiana Pacers as they look set for a collision course with the NBA Finals in a few days time.

The only downside is that Haliburton's father hasn't been there to watch his son shine.

Earlier these playoffs, John Haliburton got into an on-court confrontation with the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo after a victory.

That scuffle resulted in a ban from the league for the elder Haliburton's actions.

But now, John Haliburton has a prominent voice advocating for his return to the stands: Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley.

While interviewing Tyrese on 'Inside the NBA' after the Pacers' Game 2 win over the New York Knicks, Barkley quickly cut at the beginning of the discussion, saying 'Free your dad! Free your dad!'

Tyrese, who put up a double-double in Friday night's win, responded, 'Free Pops! Free Pops 'til it's backwards, man. Free Pops!' 

That follows on from similar sentiments Barkley expressed after Game 1 - when Haliburton hit a clutch shot at the end of regulation, eventually leading to an overtime win.

Barkley called out NBA commissioner Adam Silver to overturn John's ban.

'It's time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building,' Barkley said on Wednesday night.

'Adam, I'm asking you. Hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he's been punished. 

'And I'm asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Games 3 and 4.

'I mean, listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn't be indefinite. He's been punished enough. He would never do anything that stupid again. 

'So Adam, you know how much I love you. And my man [Pacers president of basketball operations] Kevin Pritchard, y'all let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3.'

Game 3 will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the Pacers looking to take an indomitable 3-0 series lead. 

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2025-05-24T12:04:22Z