thelesterlee
The Milwaukee Bucks season is over after a brutal 119-118 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers. But the blame for this disappointing elimination cannot be placed at the feet of 2-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo—who once again had an unbelievable, historic playoff performance.
Here’s what Giannis did in Game 5:
- 30 points
- 20 rebounds
- 9-for-17 from the field (52%)
- 11-for-17 from the free throw line
- 13 assists
- 2 steals
- 2 blocks
- 7 turnovers
- 5 fouls
You could say his turnovers and missed free throws would’ve given Milwaukee the W but no man can do it alone.
Damian Lillard popped his achilles in Game 4 while Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince and Kyle Kuzma were glued to the bench—4 guys Giannis was starting every game with were just gone in Game 5.
And Milwaukee almost escaped with the road victory before 2-time All-Star, Tyrese Haliburton, heroically lifted the Pacers on his shoulders, right into the second round.
INCREDIBLE.
Tyrese Haliburton overtime game-winner to advance. pic.twitter.com/Smau9ScsJY
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 30, 2025
Unbelievable last-second lay-in at the end of OT but Haliburton—especially scoring over Giannis—a player who’s made 5 All-Defensive Teams and won the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Plus, Giannis and Haliburton have history.
Two seasons ago, Giannis scored a career-high 64 points in a Bucks 140-126 win against Indiana. He then freaked out, storming the Pacers locker room in search of the game ball that Pacers coach, Rick Carlise, had given to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe in honor of scoring his first NBA points.
Giannis and Haliburton had heated exchange following Bucks-Pacers 😳
It involved Pacers taking game ball away after Giannis’ 64-point game pic.twitter.com/zsSGraLQVi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2023
Giannis tried to fight the whole team for a ball.
The Bucks and Pacers don’t like each other.
I’m sure it was lit in Gainbridge Fieldhouse after Tyrese embarrassed Giannis on that final play for the win.
Tyrese Haliburton’s dad, John, believed this moment gave him permission to run up on Giannis after the game and rub the victory in his face, leading to an awkward father-son dance between Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s dad
Giannis and Tyrese Haliburton’s father were talking after the Bucks got eliminated
😂😂😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/PLlflALexp
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 30, 2025
Another angle of Tyrese Haliburton’s father and Giannis. 😬
(via @squaresense)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025
“I believe in being humble in victory,” Antetokounmpo said after the game, which ended Milwaukee’s season. “A lot of people out there that are like, no, when you win the game, you talk shit and it’s a green light for you to be disrespectful towards somebody else. I disagree.”
Here is John Haliburton apologizing for the strange altercation:
I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.
— John Haliburton (@PapaHaliburton) April 30, 2025
Honestly, good for the Haliburtons. Most kids can’t get their dads to even come to their games, let alone fight the opposing team’s best players. We should all seek to become this close to our own kin.
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