The incident not only changed the complexion of the championship decider against the Oklahoma City Thunder but also cast a shadow over Tyrese Haliburton’s immediate and long-term future.

The Injury: a heartbreaking scene in Game 7

Haliburton, who had been battling a strained right calf since Game 5, started Game 7 with determination, scoring nine points on three early three-pointers and helping Indiana to a slim first-quarter lead. But with just under five minutes left in the opening period, disaster struck.

As Haliburton drove toward the basket, he suddenly collapsed to the floor without contact, immediately clutching his lower right leg and pounding the court in pain. The Pacers’ medical staff and teammates rushed to his side, and he was helped off the floor, unable to put weight on his leg.

The Pacers quickly ruled Haliburton out for the remainder of the game with a lower leg injury. His father, John Haliburton, confirmed to ESPN’s Lisa Salters that the injury involved the Achilles tendon.

Though the team has not yet released a full medical report, the non-contact nature and the immediate reaction from Haliburton and those around him raised fears of a torn Achilles—a notoriously serious injury for any athlete.

Severity, recovery timeline, and impact

Initial reports indicate Haliburton’s injury is significant, with early suggestions that he could miss at least nine months, effectively ruling him out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Achilles tendon injuries require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process, often involving a year or more before a player returns to full strength. This timeline is consistent with other recent high-profile NBA Achilles injuries and underscores the severity of Haliburton’s setback.

Haliburton’s injury is especially heartbreaking given his importance to the Pacers’ offense and leadership. Despite playing through pain in Games 5 and 6, he remained the engine of Indiana’s attack, orchestrating the offense and providing clutch moments throughout the postseason.

His absence in Game 7 forced the Pacers to rely heavily on Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard, but the loss of their floor general proved too much to overcome against a surging Thunder squad.

NBA’s reaction

The reaction across the NBA was immediate and emotional. Stars like LeBron James, Jalen Brunson, and Donovan Mitchell took to social media to send their support, with James posting, “F–k!!!!!!!!” and a prayer emoji, while others echoed sentiments of heartbreak and encouragement for Haliburton’s recovery.

The incident also reignited concerns about the demands placed on NBA players during deep playoff runs, especially for those pushing through existing injuries.

As Haliburton begins the long road to recovery, the Pacers and their fans are left to reflect on a season of remarkable progress and a Finals run that ended in heartbreak. The hope now is that their All-NBA point guard will return to full health and lead Indiana back to contention in the seasons ahead.