Indiana Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton Suffers Achilles Injury in NBA Finals Game 7

Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton sustained a right Achilles injury during the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, June 22, 2025. The injury, confirmed by Haliburton's father during an ESPN broadcast, has cast uncertainty over the 25-year-old’s immediate and long-term basketball future.

Haliburton, who had been playing through a strained right calf suffered earlier in the series, collapsed to the floor without contact as he attempted to drive past Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Witnesses described Haliburton pounding the court in agony and being unable to get up, a scene that immediately raised fears of a serious Achilles injury.

Medical staff rushed to Haliburton’s side as the Pacers’ entire team gathered around their fallen leader. He was helped off the court and taken to the locker room, putting no weight on his injured leg. He did not return to the game, instead spending the remainder of the night on crutches and supporting his teammates from the sidelines.

At the time of the injury, Haliburton had already scored nine points, hitting three of four three-point attempts, and the Pacers were trailing the Thunder 18-16. Despite his absence, Indiana managed to hold a narrow 48-47 lead at halftime but ultimately fell to Oklahoma City 103-91, losing their bid for a first-ever NBA championship.

The emotional impact of Haliburton’s injury was evident among his teammates and coaches. “All of our hearts dropped,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. Guard T.J. McConnell added, “We all are devastated for him.” Forward Obi Toppin admitted, “I was thinking about it the whole game”.

Haliburton’s leadership and resilience had defined Indiana’s remarkable playoff run, with the guard averaging 17.7 points and a postseason-leading 9.0 assists per game, setting a franchise record for assists in a single playoff campaign. His dramatic late-game heroics helped propel the Pacers through four rounds, making him the first player in NBA history to hit a tying or winning shot in the final seconds of four different playoff rounds in a single postseason.

While the Pacers have not yet released an official diagnosis or timeline for Haliburton’s return, initial reports indicate that a torn Achilles would likely sideline him for the entire 2025-26 season. The injury has sparked concern across the NBA, with several stars and athletes expressing their support for Haliburton on social media.

The Pacers and their fans now await further updates as Haliburton undergoes additional medical evaluation, hoping for the best for their franchise cornerstone.