Former Pacers All-NBA Selection Makes John Haliburton Plea After Pacers Take 2-0 Lead

Victor Oladipo becomes latest former NBA player after Charles Barkley to advocate for John Haliburton to return to NBA arenas.

Former Pacers All-NBA Selection Makes John Haliburton Plea After Pacers Take 2-0 Lead

Victor Oladipo, John Haliburton (Image via Firstsportz)

The Indiana Pacers have a chance to close out the Eastern Conference Finals at home after taking a 2-0 lead. The team won Game 1 against the Knicks in overtime, 138-135, after staging a 14-point comeback. They then won Game 2 114-109 despite another spirited showing by the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Whatever goodwill the Knicks earned with their fanbase in the previous round is fast evaporating.

Tyrese Haliburton, who flattered with an unflappable Game 1 performance, deceived in Game 2 and had a bad shooting night. The Pacers’ star went 5-16 from the field and was the only Pacers starter to finish with a negative +/- of -2. The team relied heavily on Pascal Siakam to provide consistent offense, and the former Raptor turned up to the occasion. Siakam scored a game-high 39 points, going 15-23 from the field.

Pascal Siakam was particularly important in the first half as the Pacers struggled to stay afloat with the Knicks. Siakam racked up 23 points in the first two quarters and kept the score close in the early parts of the game. His offense was instrumental in eventually allowing a way back in the game for the Pacers, who manufactured a lead in the fourth quarter and took full advantage of it.

The Pacers would be looking forward with aplomb to giving the Knicks hell at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Games 3 and 4. This is the second straight series in which the Pacers have taken a 2-0 lead on the road. Their second round series against Cleveland saw the team take a 2-0 lead at Rocket Arena. However, the manner of their wins makes their Conference Finals series against the Knicks even more iconic.

Former Pacers star Victor Oladipo seemed extremely pleased with how the team has performed in this postseason. The 33-year-old posted the following tweet to trigger discourse on the series

Both conference finals start 2-0. Who has the best chance to tie up their series. What do both teams need to do for that to happen? Or do we have an early look at our 25 NBA finals? Thoughts?

Victor Oladipo tweeted

Oladipo then pointed out a serious lineup flaw by Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks had it rolling in the third quarter, but their defense then fell off a cliff after Karl-Anthony Towns was subbed back in for Mitchell Robinson.

Oladipo posted a third tweet speaking something on everyone’s minds – Tyrese Haliburton‘s father. Much like Charles Barkley, Oladipo also believes that John Haliburton has ‘served his time’ on the sidelines, so to speak.

Why is John Haliburton banned from NBA arenas?

John Haliburton had one of the most infamous off-court showdowns between a regular NBA fan and a superstar player recently. Tyrese Haliburton’s dad was ecstatic after the Pacers forced a win against the Milwaukee Bucks in game 5 of the first round. The Pacers star’s dad, however, got carried away in his enthusiasm. He stormed the court after the game ended and started goading Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo came face-to-face with John, who kept talking his trash before security separated the two of them. Soon after the game, Daddy Haliburton realized the error of his ways and posted a tweet apologizing for his inflammatory actions.

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 was asked by the Pacers to stay away from his son’s games indefinitely. The organization said he agreed with that decision.

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