Approaching the pivotal Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers will welcome back a notable guest.
John Haliburton is set to return, after being prohibited from attending games following his on-court altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Indiana Pacers have permitted John Haliburton to watch in a suite for Game 4 of the East Finals versus the New York Knicks.
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton previously noted that his father would love to finally make his comeback to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
John Haliburton’s return comes after Charles Barkley pleaded to both NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Indiana president Kevin Pritchard on his behalf.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesStephen A. Smith reacts to John Haliburton’s return in attending Indiana postseason games
After the scandal in the aftermath of the team’s first-round clincher against the Milwaukee Bucks, John Haliburton drew a major backlash from fans and experts.
Subsequently, the Pacers announced that Haliburton won’t be allowed to watch postseason games again for the “foreseeable future.” Since then, he did not attend the past eight games, completely missing their five-game East Semis upset against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Stephen A. Smith believes the reprieve is overdue, with the ESPN expert welcoming the decision to let Haliburton watch in-person again.
“I’m happy about it,” Smith said on First Take. “It’s something I came on last week and said should happen.
“None of us should be defined by our worst mistakes or moments. You want to have compassion, empathy, and recognize that, as egregious as his act was, this man deserves a second chance. … He’s been gone for eight games, and that’s long enough.
“That’s his son out there, and this could be a once-in-a-lifetime run. As his dad, someone who clearly did a wonderful job raising Tyrese, he should be given that opportunity.”
SAS expects John Haliburton to finally act with class
Stephen A. Smith hopes John Haliburton has learned his lesson from the controversy he previously caused.
Haliburton stormed the court after Game 5 of the first round, waving his towel while visibly taunting Antetokounmpo face-to-face. It led the Bucks superstar to call him out for his “disrespectful” act.
He immediately offered his sincere apologies to Giannis, the Pacers, and the Bucks organization on social media.
From this, Smith expects him to act appropriately and show class now that he has finally been given a second chance.
“Some parents need to understand that it’s not about you, it’s about them. Let your son have his moment. Celebrate him without denigrating the competitors he faces,” Smith added.
“That shows far more respect than what was shown to Giannis. And this wasn’t the first time. People had already called the league office complaining about John Haliburton.
“I hope he’s learned his lesson. I’m happy he’s being let back in the arena. They say he’ll be in a suite rather than courtside, and I just hope he grows from this. He’s clearly a loving father. Let him focus on that, and let Tyrese be Tyrese.”