Tyrese Haliburton has drawn a heartfelt and resilient message to fans that draws direct inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s iconic response to the same setback.

Haliburton, who suffered the injury just minutes into Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, underwent successful surgery in New York City and has already begun the long road to recovery.

Haliburton’s emotional address: “find the silver lining”

In his first public statement since the injury, Haliburton didn’t shy away from the pain and disappointment of the moment. “Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable,” he wrote in a message shared on social media. “I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.”

Haliburton’s candor resonated with fans and teammates alike, as he acknowledged the emotional toll of seeing his dream season cut short. He even poked fun at the cliché encouragements he knew would come his way:

“I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to ‘come back stronger.’ What a cliché.” Yet, it was his next words that truly captured the spirit of resilience.

Drawing inspiration from Kobe Bryant, who famously wrote about his own Achilles tear in 2013, Haliburton quoted the Lakers legend:

“There are far greater issues/challenges in the world than a torn Achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining, and get to work with the same belief, same drive, and same conviction as ever.” Haliburton added, “That’s what I plan to do. I owe that to myself, my family, my teammates, and this city.”

Pacers, NBA community, and fans respond

Haliburton’s message quickly went viral, drawing praise from across the NBA landscape. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle called Haliburton’s attitude “inspiring,” noting, “Tyrese has always been a leader by example. His determination and perspective in the face of adversity will lift this entire organization.”

Teammate Pascal Siakam echoed the sentiment, saying, “We know he’ll attack this rehab the same way he attacks every game, with heart and focus.”

While the Pacers must now prepare for the start of next season without their All-NBA point guard, Haliburton’s message has already set the tone for his comeback. Medical experts estimate a typical recovery timeline of 9-12 months for Achilles injuries, meaning Haliburton could miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 campaign.

Still, his determination and positive mindset have given hope to a franchise and fanbase that rallied behind him all season.

As Haliburton begins his rehabilitation, his words serve as a reminder that setbacks are temporary, and that true greatness is defined by the response. For Pacers fans and the NBA at large, Haliburton’s resolve is a powerful symbol of hope for the future.