Game 5 between the Bucks and Pacers ended with more drama than anyone expected. The Milwaukee flight was ready as the team packed their bags for a quick exit after the Pacers won the game 119–118 on a last-second layup. But the real headline came moments later. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s father ended up in a face-to-face exchange on the court. According to Giannis, John Haliburton waved a towel in his face while swearing, which he called “very, very disrespectful.” It was a moment that turned celebration into chaos and left fans and experts stunned, all questioning where to draw the line.

Since then, even Tyrese has admitted his dad crossed a line. When asked about it, Tyrese Haliburton didn’t defend his father. He said plainly, “I don’t think my pops was in the right at all there.” Tyrese hadn’t seen what happened in real time but spoke up after reviewing the clip, “I had a conversation with him, with Giannis”. He explained that his father got caught in the heat of the moment but needed to respect boundaries. “Basketball is basketball,” he added. “Let’s keep it on the court.” That honesty helped cool down some of the tension. However, not everyone is happy with just the words of apology, and Chandler Parsons made his opinion clear.

Things didn’t stop there. On Run It Back, the crew had a lot to say. Michelle Beadle first pointed out the surprising situation was stating, “Ushers are in place with seconds to spare.”  The conversation steered towards Chandler Parsons, wondering what would’ve happened if it were Draymond Green instead of Giannis. He stated, “They’re probably getting punched in the face.” Soon, Danny Green pointed out how things have changed since the early days of the NBA.

He also brought up the infamous Malice at the Palace incident. He reflected, “After watching Malice at the Palace, I think guys know not to hit fans anymore.” He pointed out how, as a professional athlete, he expects Giannis to have self-restraint not to fight against an “older man”. This led to Chandler adding, “Security needs to be better. This is unacceptable in this sport”. As it should be after all, John Haliburton shouldn’t have been able to make his way to the court like that.

The Malice mention made things feel heavier. Green hoped that pros today would think twice before reacting violently, especially to fans. He even joked that Haliburton’s dad needed to, “Put the tequila down and just care for your kid and stay your a** off the court.” While the cast remained critical of Haliburton’s actions, the man himself has apologized for his actions. In his Twitter post, he wrote, “I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game.” He acknowledged the damage done, not just to his son, Tyrese Haliburton’s image, but to the spirit of the sport.

How the Malice at the Palace changed the NBA

The Run It Back crew’s flashback to the Malice at the Palace wasn’t just colorful commentary; rather, it was a reminder of how deep that scar runs. While the Giannis-Haliburton moment fizzled without incident, 20 years ago, things exploded. And the league was never the same again.

The Malice at the Palace wasn’t just a fight, it was an unfortunate incident that left deep scars on the NBA world. When Ron Artest leaped into the stands after a drink was thrown at him, it shattered the boundary between player and fan. What followed—chaos, punches, and 141 games’ worth of suspensions—forced the NBA to rethink everything. Overnight, security protocols tightened, courtside behavior was monitored more closely, and teams began screening who sat close to the action.

But the impact went further. David Stern responded with a strict dress code, demanding “business casual” from players. That one rule, meant to soften the NBA’s image, unintentionally launched a fashion movement. Players turned press walks into runways. What began as control turned into creativity and redefined how athletes express themselves today.

More subtly, the incident rewired how players handle conflict. Fans now taunt louder than ever, but most players stay composed. Danny Green said it best—after that night in Detroit, “After watching Malice in the Palace, I think guys know not to hit fans anymore.” The line between passion and chaos was drawn that night in 2004. Today, it still holds firm.