Antetokounmpo is confronted by the father of the teammate after Pacers Bucks in NBA playoffs eliminated

The striker of Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, is separated from the players of Indiana Pacers, Obi Toppin, from right, and Bennedict Mathurin, right, after game 5 of an NBA basketball playoff series in Indianapolis on Tuesday. [Michael Conroy/AP Photo]

The Pacers Guard Tyrese Haliburton was so excited about the unlikely overtime -rally by Indiana that he did not notice what led to a aftermath for aftermath between his teammates and the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday evening.

Then he came into the changing room, watched the repetition and flinched when he saw his father John on the square and confronted MVP Giannis Antetocounmpo twice.

“I had no idea that it happened until I returned to the changing room, and they showed me the video of my pops,” said the two-time all-star, after making the decisive layup with 1.3 seconds to give Indiana a 119: 118 victory and a 4-1 win. “We had a little conversation about it. I don't agree what happened there. I think basketball is basketball and let it keep it on the field. I think he was only excited.”

Antetocounmpo was also not pleased after his team had a lead of seven points in the last 40 seconds of the extension and sent the goats to the third round in the first round. John Haliburton did not recognize the two -time MVP and thought he was just another fan that had ran to the pitch.

Antetocounmpo said he likes Haliburton and calling him a great competitor, but John Haliburton shows a towel with his son's image while “this is what we do (explosive)” was wrong.

“I have the feeling that this is very, very disrespectful,” said Antetocounmpo, who ended with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists.

Haliburton seemed to be really upset about the incident and promised to reach antetocounmpo before the teams play again.

“At some point I will talk to Giannis about it,” said Haliburton, who grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. “I don't think my pops were there at all. It is unfortunate what happened there in the end.

“It is unfortunate what happened there (the argument), but I think it's just competition,” he added. “As far as my pops are concerned, I don't agree what happened there. We will talk.”

Antetokounmpo told a story about the 2020-21 championship season when his mother took part in every game from mid-February to the title. The Greek superstar said that his mother was not even sure whether she could get on the pitch to hug him at the end of the last game and found that his family members don't normally sit.

The Pacers and Bucks have met 20 times in the last two seasons, and the Pacers won eight 11 playoff games and both off -season series in an increasingly heated rivalry.

In the meantime, Damian Lillard's devastating Achilles injury could have long-lasting effects that affect the Milwaukeeböcken far beyond a further exit from the NBA playoffs.

It could also initiate the departure of superstar Antetocounmpo.

The 34-year-old Lillard, who suffered an Achilles injury in game 4 on Sunday in game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, could miss most or the entire next season. That would make him 35 or 36 if he can return to the court – what complicates the matter for a Bucks team, which is already completed with age and roster problems.

Lillard was taken over from Portland in 2023 to combine with Antetocounmpo. In the previous year, he had signed an extension of two years by $ 122 million. Lillard will earn around $ 54 million next season and has a player option of $ 58 million for the 2026-27 season.

In the meantime, dealing with Khris Middleton did not work out as planned in February for 29-year-old Kyle Kuzma. Milwaukee is 3-1 to Indiana and is already in the first round in a row on Tuesday evening.

For months, rumors have been seeping away that all-Star-Star-Antetocounmpo sees the letter on the wall and in this off-season a trade for a trade in the machines. The 30-year-old striker will be without his co-star for an unknown time, and the goats have little flexibility to improve their aging roster.

This prompted at least one sports book to offer the chances for the team Antetocounmpo in the 2025-26 season, if not Milwaukee. [AP, Reuters]