During his Wednesday night TV appearance, Charles Barkley asked Adam Silver a question.
Game 1 of the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Eastern Conference finals was broadcast on TNT from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Despite trailing by 14 points with less than three minutes remaining, the Pacers pulled off an incredible rally and prevailed.
The excitement following the Pacers’ historic victory prompted Barkley to address the NBA commissioner during his post-game appearance on TNT. Barkley begged Silver to let Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, go to the series’ third and fourth games, which will be held at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow. It’s time to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building,” Barkley said. “Adam, I’m asking you, hey, my man paid his dues. He did something really, really stupid. But he’s been punished. And I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3 and 4.
“Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough. He would never do anything that stupid again. So, Adam, you know how much I love you … you all let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Game 3.”
After a widely reported altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier in the series, John Haliburton was prohibited from attending the Pacers’ playoff games. After Tyrese attempted to knock out the Greek Freak’s Bucks in the opening round, Haliburton made fun of Antetokounmpo.
According to a report published two days after the altercation, John Haliburton was requested not to go to the team’s postseason games in order to prevent him from becoming a distraction. Barkley believes that John has done his time and ought to be permitted to return to see his kid play live. As long as Haliburton doesn’t sit courtside and they keep things under wraps, the Pacers and NBA could definitely make that happen.
