Charles Barkley Makes Serious Plea to Adam Silver Over Pacers Punishment

Barkley pleaded with Silver to let Haliburton's father, John Haliburton, attend Game 3 to watch his son.  

"I want to reach out to Adam Silver tomorrow," Barkley said. "Me and Draymond (Green) were talking. It's time to let Mr. Halliburton back in the building. Yes, it is.

"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. Halliburton back in the building for Game 3 and 4."

Barkley was referencing John Haliburton's altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the aftermath of the Pacers' series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. 

John Haliburton was seen taunting Antetokounmpo on the court as soon as the game ended, which led to the Bucks superstar confronting him moments later.  

The Pacers subsequently announced the team's decision to ban John Haliburton from attending home games "for the foreseeable future." He was not present in any of Indiana's games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in their second-round series against the Boston Celtics. 

According to Barkley, this was punishment enough for John Haliburton, which is why he wants Silver to intervene and lift the ban. 

"I mean, listen, he paid his dues," Barkley continued. "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. And my man (Pacers president) Kevin Pritchard, y'all, let Mr. Halliburton back in the building for Game 3."

For what it's worth, Game 3 in Indiana isn't scheduled until Sunday, which gives the NBA and the Pacers a few days to make their decision. However, whether they will listen to Barkley's plea here remains to be seen.