Among the many voices and noises in the league on Tuesday, one name emerged gloriously: the Indiana Pacers.  They had a 2.2% chance of winning the game in OT with 40 seconds on the clock. The Pacers were down 111-118 when the game changed for them. And, do you know who shone the brightest? That ‘overrated player’ Tyrese Haliburton.

Scoring 26 points in a game that needed him the most, the 25-year-old point guard stood before the Milwaukee Bucks, staring into their eyes as he took them down to make it to the semi-finals. Now, a new grind is about to begin as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers for Round 2 on Sunday. Speaking with Pat McAfee, Tyrese shared the mindset for the next level.

It looks like Tyrese Haliburton and his trainer have started watching films, but that’s his training. “As far as team stuff, we’ll start real team prep tomorrow and the day after. I think we play them on Sunday. So we’ll practice Saturday and travel Saturday,” Tyrese confirmed. Meanwhile, acknowledging the Cavs, he said: “They’re a good team, they’re really physical. They can shoot the ball really well, they have multiple guys who can handle, shoot, and defend. I think that’s why you see the record that they have. They’re a really good and really deep team. So we just gotta be able to match that energy.”

It’s not a secret that the Cavaliers are the most dominant force in the East this season. They outscored the Miami Heat with a 4-0 clean sweep in the Playoffs, thus becoming the first team to register themselves in the semi-finals in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, he asserted, “We just gotta be able to match that energy. It’s not gonna be easy by any means. It’s a really good team. We look forward to that competition. I think this year we haven’t really played each other at full health. So it’s hard to look at all the films because I haven’t played a ton against their full group.”

Well, it looks like the 25-year-old is looking forward to playing a completely healthy Cleveland Cavaliers roster in the next round. “I only played the first half of the first game we played them. So I’ll probably have to go back two years and start to watch what other guards have done against these guys. But I’m definitely looking forward to the competition.” Averaging 18.6 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season, Tyrese Haliburton has been an effective force for the Indiana Pacers on many occasions. And now, the need has escalated tenfold.

At the same time, Tyrese cannot completely ignore his father’s on-court tiff between Giannis Antetokounmpo and his father, John Haliburton. Papa Haliburton has been a regular at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Indianapolis audience knows what it’s like to have him around. However, such a heated moment was unprecedented.

Tyrese Haliburton remains seemingly calm about his father’s drama with Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a stunning triple-double in Game 5, but the Bucks still fell 119-118 to the Pacers. As Indiana celebrated, tensions flared when Tyrese Haliburton’s father confronted Giannis courtside, mistaking passion for provocation. The MVP called the moment “very disrespectful,” demanding more grace in triumph. Eventually, both sides cooled off, ending the fiery exchange with mutual understanding.

Talking about the incident, Tyrese told Pat McAfee: “I think he just got caught up in the moment. My dad is obviously a big personality. After the game, he came onto the floor to celebrate. His actions were out of line. I apologized to Giannis. He apologized to Giannis. He put out a statement apologizing yesterday. I addressed it in the media yesterday. It’s unfortunate what happened. There’s no excuse and no place for that. He understands that. I think he just got caught up in the moment.”

Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse saw more than just basketball—it sparked raw emotion. Tyrese Haliburton’s father clashed with a dejected Giannis Antetokounmpo, blurring the line between passion and provocation. While loyalty runs deep, sportsmanship must run deeper.

When the buzzer sounded, it wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Tyrese Haliburton rose when it mattered, silencing doubt while his father stirred a storm on the sidelines. Now, with emotions checked and focus sharp, the Pacers set their sights on Cleveland. The drama fades, but the real battle begins.