The Indiana Pacers are two games away from being in the NBA Finals. They did lose Game 3 at home, but the team has been phenomenal. Most importantly, Tyrese Haliburton has served as the life of the team. However, since the first round, his support system hasn’t been by his side. But not anymore.

After his scuffle with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA and the Pacers decided to ban him from attending any playoff games. Still, John Haliburton watched and celebrated as if he were right there. He did the choke celebration with his son while watching the game from the bar.

But now, the energy within the Pacers’ building might break the roof down after Shams Charania’s update. John Haliburton is slated for his return to the Pacers lineup!

“John Haliburton will still remain away from Pacers road games, but he will be back to watch his son Tyrese and the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse starting with Tuesday’s contest,” Charania wrote on X. Maybe Charles Barkley’s advocacy did work out after all. After their Game 2 victory, the Hall of Famer launched a ‘Free your dad’ movement with Tyrese Haliburton.

“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 Games 3 and 4,” he requested to the NBA commissioner. It may be coming one game late, but the senior Haliburton will be back in the building.

However, keeping precautions in check, he won’t be allowed in his usual seat just yet. John Haliburton will be seated in a suite at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 4 against the New York Knicks. That doesn’t necessarily discard his energy. The arena will surely erupt knowing one of their own is back in the building.

And the timing couldn’t be better for Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers need the energy

The Indiana Pacers rode the powerful chants and the infectious energy of the crowd in Game 3. By half, they were up 20, heading towards a 3-0 advantage in the series. But things fell apart in the second half. They could only manage 42 points. Eventually, a fiery performance from Karl-Anthony Towns in the fourth quarter put out the Pacers’ fire.

The crowd in all facets did their part. They rallied behind the Pacers. But just when it seemed they needed an extra gear, the team couldn’t find it. There were plenty of reasons for the same. The Knicks’ defense did a splendid job of curtailing the Pacers’ high-paced offense.

The focus, though, has to be on Tyrese Haliburton in this case. The Pacers haven’t needed him to be a juggernaut to win games. But when he does so, the Indiana looks indestructible. The thought of showing off a little with his father now back in the building might be just the motivation him and the Pacers need.

Of course, at the end, what will matter is the product they display on the court. So far, they have managed to hold the upper hand for the major part of the series against the Knicks. But having lost at home, it’s imperative for them to win Game 4 and put the pressure on the Knicks.

Today, they couldn’t do so for the entirety of the game. But their vision is to finish what has been a fairytale run thus far in the NBA playoffs. Knicks-Pacers is an intense rivalry. Moreover, the Pacers haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 2000. This seems to be their best chance at chasing history.

And in spite of falling in Game 3, the puzzle seems to be building itself well after the John Haliburton news.