John Haliburton has been a steadfast supporter throughout Tyrese’s basketball journey, always present for the highs and lows. On this night, he watched from the stands as his son started strong, knocking down three early three-pointers and helping Indiana take an early lead.

But the mood in Paycom Center shifted dramatically just minutes into the first quarter. As Tyrese drove to the basket, he suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching his lower right leg in obvious pain. The arena fell silent, and all eyes turned to the Pacers’ star—and then to his father, who was visibly shaken in the stands.

The cameras captured John’s immediate reaction: hands covering his face, his posture slumped in disbelief and worry. The emotional toll was evident, with John struggling to watch as Tyrese was helped off the court and into the locker room.

John Haliburton confirms the worst

As the game continued, updates on Tyrese’s condition were anxiously awaited by fans and media alike. During a sideline interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, John Haliburton delivered the news everyone feared: Tyrese had suffered a serious Achilles injury.

“He’s doing as well as he can be under the circumstances,” John shared, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. He explained that Tyrese was surrounded by his family in the locker room, trying to support his teammates from afar despite the devastating setback.

The human side of the NBA’s biggest stage

John Haliburton’s visible distress was a reminder of the personal stakes involved for players’ families during high-pressure moments like the NBA Finals. His confirmation of Tyrese’s injury quickly spread across social and traditional media, providing clarity as speculation mounted.

The Pacers organization soon followed with an official statement, confirming that Tyrese would not return to Game 7 due to the Achilles injury.

While the Pacers continued to compete without their All-NBA point guard, attention shifted to the timeline and severity of Haliburton’s recovery. Early indications suggest he could miss significant time next season, pending further evaluation and imaging.

For now, the focus within the Pacers camp is on supporting Haliburton through his rehabilitation and preparing for the challenges ahead without their star floor general.