Charles Barkley wants the NBA to free Tyrese Haliburton's dad.
After John Haliburton confronted Giannis Antetokounmpo by waving a towel and swearing at him during the series-clinching game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, Indiana made the decision to ban the elder Haliburton from future playoff games.
Barkley made a request to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after Game 1 of the Knicks-Pacers series for John Haliburton to be reinstated for Games 3 and 4 in Indiana on Sunday and Tuesday.
"It's time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building," Barkley said on TNT. "Adam, I'm asking you, hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid, but he's been punished."
He added: "He's been punished enough. He will never do something that stupid again."
An email from NJ Advance Media to a Knicks spokesman asking if John Haliburton was permitted at Madison Square Garden for Games 1 & 2 went unanswered.
The elder Haliburton apologized after his interaction with Giannis.
"I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game," he wrote on social media. "This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again."
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