The climax of the NBA season took a somber turn in the opening minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, as Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with a potentially devastating injury. The incident, which occurred early in the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder, immediately cast a pall over the highly anticipated winner-take-all matchup and sent shockwaves across the basketball world.
What Happened to Tyrese Haliburton?
Just minutes into the pivotal Game 7 at the Paycom Center, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a non-contact injury to his right lower leg. While driving to the basket, his leg reportedly buckled, causing him to immediately shout in pain and pound the floor in visible distress.
Haliburton needed assistance to get off the court and was escorted to the locker room for evaluation. The Pacers initially ruled him out for the remainder of the game with a “lower leg injury.” However, his father later confirmed to ESPN that the injury was to his Achilles tendon.
Adding to the concern, Haliburton had been managing a strained right calf that he initially sustained in Game 5 of the series. Despite that prior issue, he had played in Game 6 and reportedly made it clear he intended to play through pain in Game 7, making the non-contact nature and severity of this new injury particularly alarming.
Before exiting the game just seven minutes in, Haliburton had started strong, scoring 9 points and hitting 3 of his 4 attempts from beyond the three-point line, helping the Pacers keep pace early.
Impact on Game 7 and Outlook
Without their undeniable “heart and soul,” as teammate Pascal Siakam described him, the Pacers struggled significantly. Though they battled early, losing their floor general ultimately proved too much to overcome. The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the fourth quarter, securing a 103-91 victory to claim the franchise’s first NBA title since relocating.
For the Pacers, playing in their first NBA Finals since 2000, the loss was compounded by the uncertainty surrounding Haliburton’s health. A likely Achilles injury is a severe setback, and reports indicate it will likely keep Haliburton out for the early part of the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season as he begins a lengthy recovery process.
NBA World Reacts with Shock and Support
The moment Haliburton went down, the reaction across the NBA community and beyond was swift, emotional, and widespread. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of shock, sympathy, and frustration over the unfortunate timing of such a serious injury for a young star in the Finals.
Notable figures from across sports expressed their dismay and sent well-wishes. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James posted an immediate, visceral reaction (“F—!!!!!!!!” accompanied by a prayer emoji) on X. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, NBA stars like Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and Trae Young, and former players such as Dwyane Wade (“No one deserves this”) were among many offering prayers and support. Even Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who had attended Pacers games, showed support.
Analysts like Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews reported on the stunned silence that fell over the arena and the broader NBA community. Perhaps most striking was the sense of unity; even rival players like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed sorrow, stating, “You never want to see that… The whole league is behind him right now.” Pacers teammates were visibly shaken, with Myles Turner adding, “Heartbreak, man… We got his back.”
The outpouring of support from fans, highlighted by messages and hashtags like #PrayForTyrese and #ComeBackStronger, underscored the respect and affection the basketball world has for Haliburton. As he faces a challenging rehabilitation journey, he does so with the unified backing of players, coaches, fans, and analysts alike, a powerful reminder of the league’s community in the face of adversity.
