Tyrese Haliburton Suffers Torn Achilles in NBA Finals Game 7; Major Sports Injuries and Trade Moves Lead Headlines

June 22, 2025 – The world of sports was rocked Sunday as Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating torn Achilles tendon during the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton, who had been playing through a right calf strain for the past two games, collapsed on the court with 4:55 left in the opening quarter and was visibly distraught, punching the floor in frustration as medical staff rushed to his side.

Haliburton had started the game strong, scoring nine points on three 3-pointers before the non-contact injury forced him out of the contest. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and was helped to the locker room, where he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The severity of the injury, reminiscent of Kevin Durant’s 2019 Finals Achilles tear, casts significant doubt on Haliburton’s availability for the start of next season and clouds the Pacers’ championship hopes.

The NBA playoffs have been marred by a series of high-profile injuries. Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard both suffered Achilles tendon tears earlier in the postseason, while Golden State’s Stephen Curry and the Lakers’ LeBron James also faced injuries that impacted their teams’ playoff runs.

In Australian football, St Kilda’s Mattaes Phillipou will miss several weeks after re-aggravating a plantaris tendon injury during warm-ups. While scans ruled out Achilles or calf tendon damage, the setback delays his return to AFL action.

The NHL also saw significant movement as the Seattle Kraken traded forward Andre Burakovsky to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for center Joe Veleno. The deal, motivated by Seattle’s need to clear Burakovsky’s $5.5 million salary cap hit, is expected to provide the Kraken with greater roster flexibility heading into the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have come under fire for a series of base-running mistakes, with fans and analysts criticizing the team’s situational play. Aaron Judge’s failure to tag up in a crucial moment has become a focal point for broader concerns about the Yankees’ execution on the field.

These developments highlight a tumultuous week in sports, with injuries and strategic moves shaping the narratives across multiple leagues.