The Indiana Pacers weren’t supposed to be here. Not according to most pre-season forecasts, which pegged the Eastern Conference crown for powerhouses like the Boston Celtics or the Cleveland Cavaliers. Yet, Indiana defied all expectations, embarking on an improbable “magical” playoff run that captured the league’s attention. From overcoming seemingly insurmountable +6600 odds to win the title at the season’s start, this resilient Pacers squad, built without a single top-five draft pick, pushed the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals – the first Game 7 in the Finals in nine years.
Defying Expectations and Finding an Identity
This was a team that started 10-15, facing early skepticism, but found its stride by embracing a unique identity. Far from the prevalent “heliocentric” style revolving around a single superstar scorer, the Pacers thrived on high pace, relentless ball movement, constant off-ball action like dribble handoffs, shooting from all positions, and a commitment to pace and ball protection. Their defense was marked by full-court pressure and a high rate of going over screens, making them endearingly scrappy and physically and mentally taxing for opponents. Coach Rick Carlisle fostered a player-led environment, giving his team, particularly star guard Tyrese Haliburton, the autonomy to make crucial decisions in clutch moments – a marked shift from his earlier coaching approach.
Haliburton: The Engine of the Magic
At the heart of this transformative journey was Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s undisputed “lodestar” and catalyst. Acquired in a bold trade in 2022 and quickly locked into a max contract, Haliburton changed the franchise’s trajectory. His performance wasn’t just statistically impressive (including a record-setting 15 assists with zero turnovers in a Conference Finals game, surpassing Magic Johnson and Larry Bird), but defined by clutch heroics. Time and again, Haliburton delivered in critical moments: a game-winning jumper in Game 1 of the Finals, a driving layup past Giannis Antetokounmpo to seal a first-round series, a game-winning three-pointer against Cleveland, and a last-second shot to force overtime against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals opener. His confidence and bravado became integral to the team’s spirit. Haliburton navigated external pressures, from being labeled overrated to an incident involving his father, framing them as necessary learning experiences for a young star in the spotlight.
The Pacers’ path to the Finals was paved with resilience. They absorbed opponents’ best punches, overcame a mid-series calf strain to Haliburton, trailed in a playoff series for the first time all year against the Thunder, yet responded with a dominant Game 6 win fueled by collective determination. Veteran James Johnson noted the team’s high character, while Myles Turner cherished the “process” that got them there.
The Devastating Turn in Game 7
Then, in the deciding Game 7, basketball’s cruel hand struck. Tyrese Haliburton suffered a sickening lower leg injury while driving to the basket. Pounding the floor in frustration before being carried off, the injury was later reported by his father as an Achilles tendon injury on the same leg that had troubled him earlier. While the official diagnosis awaited, the immediate fear was that such an injury could sideline their franchise player for the entire 2025-26 season. The injury seemed to impact the team’s performance, contributing to their highest turnover rate of the postseason in the decisive game.
An Uncertain Future
Haliburton’s injury immediately casts a long shadow over the Pacers’ carefully constructed plans. What was intended to be a two-to-three-year window of contention with a core group largely signed through 2027-28 is now thrown into immediate chaos. The vibrant peak of their magical run has been starkly contrasted by a harsh, uncertain reality.
The front office, led by Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan, successfully built a championship-level team despite not having the luxury of lottery picks, making savvy trades (like acquiring Pascal Siakam) and finding gems like second-rounder Andrew Nembhard. However, replacing Haliburton’s unique playmaking, scoring, and leadership qualities is virtually impossible in the short term.
The injury forces difficult questions about the team’s approach moving forward. While the Pacers have historically resisted tanking – a philosophy underscored by Coach Carlisle’s aversion to apathy – the potential loss of their superstar for a season makes a “gap season” in 2025-26 seem likely. The team may explore options like the injured player exception to add talent, and will need to be exceptionally precise in future drafts and trades.
Financially, the team faces decisions, notably regarding key veteran center Myles Turner, a free agent expected to command around $30 million annually. Re-signing Turner, despite his struggles in the Finals, is anticipated but would likely push the historically tax-averse franchise into the luxury tax for the first time in two decades.
Despite the painful ending and the immediate uncertainty, the Pacers’ 2024-25 season will be remembered for its defiance of expectations, resilient spirit, unique playing style, and the emergence of Tyrese Haliburton as a true superstar capable of delivering in the biggest moments. While his devastating injury clouds their immediate future, the foundation built and the magical run achieved offer a glimpse of what this team is capable of – and perhaps provide a blueprint for how success can be found beyond the league’s traditional models.
