©Trevor Ruszkowski - Imagn Images
Down 3-1, and without Damian Lillard after he tore his Achilles in Game 3, the Milwaukee Bucks were expected by many to simply roll over and die in an elimination game in Indianapolis against the Pacers on Tuesday. They didn’t do that, and actually lost in the most painful way possible, blowing a seven-point lead in the the final minute of overtime to end their season.
To add insult to injury, after the game there was a kerfuffle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who hit the game-winning basket with just over a second left. And, it doesn’t reflect well on either party.
The shorthanded Bucks were heavy underdogs but actually played a great game, getting off to a great start with a 30-13 opening quarter before hanging on to reach overtime. And, in overtime, they had a 118-111 lead with 40 seconds left after an AJ Green free throw. But, they choked it away.
"I don't like using the word choke, but that was a choke…In the words of the great Tom Jackson, 'C'Mon man.'
That was a choke job. Ain't nothing you can say but that was a gag. That was a choke, choke, choke."
Charles Barkley reacts to the Bucks season-ending loss. pic.twitter.com/w7dwELJ1Z9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 30, 2025
As if that wasn’t bad enough, this happened after the game.
Giannis wanted ALL THE SMOKE with Mr. Haliburton
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) April 30, 2025
I’m not sure what went on between John Haliburton and Giannis during the series, but that’s an inexcusable interaction from Giannis. Be the bigger person and move on. If this is all that it was, this is a big overreaction.
Here’s another angle of Haliburton’s dad and Giannis. This is insane behavior by an old ass man.
Watch the guy in the black jersey initially sitting down in a chair with the towel on the baseline pic.twitter.com/4ldMy1Oxke
— sqr (@squaresense) April 30, 2025
After the game Giannis spoke on the incident, and appeared to take issue with the trash talk. Frankly, this seems like thin skin.
Giannis spoke on his interaction with Tyrese Haliburton's father at the end of Game 5. pic.twitter.com/zdhZ8yHJdU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 30, 2025
The Bucks’ season is over, and this may result in the breakup of the core of the team, as they don’t really have a path towards future contention.