Devastating Injury Strikes in NBA Finals Game 7
Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton sustained a torn right Achilles tendon during the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 23, 2025. The severe injury was confirmed by league sources shortly after the game.
The injury occurred with just under five minutes remaining in the opening period. As Haliburton attempted to drive to the basket, his right leg gave way, and he fell to the court without contact. Immediately showing visible agony, he pounded the floor in distress and was unable to put any weight on the injured leg. Pacers medical staff quickly surrounded him, and he had to be helped off the court and escorted to the locker room, reportedly with tears in his eyes.
Sources indicate that Haliburton is scheduled to undergo surgery in New York today, June 23rd. This diagnosis is particularly devastating as a torn Achilles typically requires a lengthy recovery period, often ranging from eight to ten months, and frequently necessitates a full calendar year before a player can return to peak performance. Consequently, Haliburton is expected to miss the entire 2025-2026 NBA season.
Playing Through Pain: The Calf Strain Before the Tear
The torn Achilles tendon is tragically compounded by the fact that Haliburton had already been managing a painful injury. He had been playing through a strained right calf sustained in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Despite acknowledging the stiffness and soreness, Haliburton insisted on being on the court for the championship opportunity, famously stating, “If I can walk, I want to play.”
While the calf strain would likely have sidelined him for weeks during the regular season, his determination saw him compete in Game 6 and start Game 7. Experts note that a calf strain can potentially cause instability in surrounding muscles like the Achilles, though the exact relationship to the Game 7 tear is complex. Haliburton had scored nine points before exiting the decisive contest.
The Immediate Impact: Game 7 and Beyond
Haliburton’s sudden departure had a profound and immediate impact on Game 7. Despite initially staying competitive, the Pacers visibly struggled without their primary playmaker and floor general. Opposing Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commented after the game, expressing sympathy and calling the injury “unfortunate and unfair.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle summed up the team’s reaction, stating, “All of our hearts dropped.” Teammates echoed the sentiment; reserve center Thomas Bryant called it “heart-breaking,” referring to Haliburton as the team’s “heart and soul,” while forward Obi Toppin added that his absence “sucked the soul out of us.”
The Thunder pulled away in the second half, ultimately defeating the Pacers 103-91 to win the championship. Haliburton spent the remainder of the game in the locker room, surrounded by family, reportedly watching the game and hearing applause from outside, even in defeat.
Looking ahead, the torn Achilles presents a significant challenge for the Pacers’ offseason and future planning. The team must now navigate roster decisions, including the free agency of center Myles Turner, knowing their franchise player will be sidelined. Haliburton just completed the first year of a five-year, $245 million contract, and his absence could impact financial decisions, potentially making the team eligible for a disabled player exception.
An Unforgettable Playoff Run Cut Short
The injury brings a sudden and tragic end to what had been a truly remarkable postseason run for Tyrese Haliburton. The 25-year-old guard was widely regarded as the breakout star of the playoffs, leading the “upstart Pacers” on an improbable deep run to the NBA Finals.
His individual brilliance was on full display, highlighted by an unprecedented four tying or winning shots in the final seconds across the four playoff rounds – becoming the first player in league history to achieve this in a single postseason. Coach Carlisle lauded his performance as “one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA,” emphasizing Haliburton’s clutch play and team-first attitude, stating it was “something that no one’s ever seen.”
Haliburton averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds over 23 playoff games leading up to Game 7, building on a regular season where he earned All-NBA Third Team honors. His 197 assists set a new franchise record for a single postseason. His dramatic run, featuring highlights like a game-tying shot against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 followed by a ‘Reggie Miller choke pose’, ended abruptly and tragically on the NBA’s biggest stage.
The Long Road Ahead: Recovery and Pacers’ Offseason Challenge
The immediate focus shifts to Tyrese Haliburton’s recovery. Rehabilitation from an Achilles tear is notoriously challenging and lengthy, demanding immense dedication and patience. While players can often return, regaining pre-injury explosiveness and form is a significant hurdle. The long recovery period means Haliburton will face a massive challenge ahead of him this offseason and throughout the next season.
For the Pacers organization, this is a devastating blow. They had meticulously built their contender around Haliburton’s unique playmaking and offensive talents. His absence creates a void that cannot be easily filled. The team will need other players, such as Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin (who started in Game 7’s second half), to step into larger roles. The front office will have to make crucial decisions this offseason with the reality of their star player’s long-term absence guiding their strategy. Despite the setback, Haliburton is under contract through 2028-29, signaling the franchise’s commitment to building around him for the future once he is healthy.
An Unfortunate Trend Across the NBA
Adding another layer of unfortunate context, Haliburton’s injury marks a concerning trend in the NBA this season. He is the third prominent Eastern Conference star to suffer a torn Achilles during the 2025 postseason alone, following Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks. Furthermore, he is the third Pacer player this season to sustain the same injury, with backup centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson also tearing their Achilles earlier in the fall. The frequency of this severe injury across the league this year, potentially reaching a new high, is a point of significant concern around player health and workload.
