It's time for the NBA to stop punishing John Haliburton.
Yes, the father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton made a huge mistake when he stormed onto the court after his son made the go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to eliminate the MIlwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Yes, the NBA needed to lay down the iron fist after John approached Giannis Antetokoumpo, waving a flag depicting his son's face and, according to the Bucks superstar, repeatedly yelling, "This is what we f----ing do."
But it has been nearly a month since John's banishment as the fourth-seeded Pacers have gone deeper into the postseason than anyone anticipated. And now that Haliburton has turned into the breakout superstar of the playoffs, and the Pacers are just two wins shy of the Finals, the punishment feels as though it no longer fits the crime.
Behind Haliburton, the Pacers have had some of the most improbable comebacks in playoff history over the last few weeks. His father wasn't there to witness them. It's sad. Deserved but sad.
But enough is enough.
The NBA should allow him back into Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Games 3 and 4 of the Pacers' Eastern Conference Finals series against the New York Knicks. Enough time has elapsed. John apologized right away, posting on X the night of his transgression, "I will not make that mistake again."
Don't make John miss any more of his son's improbable run.
Haliburton has been incredible this postseason. He has transformed from being voted by his peers as the most overrated player in the league in a poll by The Athletic into becoming a bonafide superstar.
Even LeBron James chimed in following his 31-point and eight-assist performance as the Pacers eliminated the
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