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Pacers' Finals ace could miss all of next NBA season
Michael Marot, AP • June 24th, 2025 2:00 pm
Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton goes down with his injury early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals | Photo: AP
Tyrese Haliburton took the Indiana Pacers to heights few thought possible after they started the NBA season with a 10-15 record.
Getting back might take some time after team officials confirmed on Monday that the two-time All-Star tore his right Achilles tendon in the decisive NBA Finals Game 7 loss the Oklahoma City on Sunday, an injury that could cost Haliburton all of next season.
The announcement casts a pall on his historic postseason run, which included a litany of incredible plays, buzzer-beating winners and occasionally unprecedented stat lines, and it helped propel the Pacers to their second NBA Finals appearance and within one victory of the franchise's first championship.
"An MRI taken on Monday confirmed that Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon. Surgery is scheduled later today with Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York," the team said.
The game-winning basket in the NBA Finals opener was among Haliburton's NBA playoffs feats | Photo: AP
Coach Rick Carlisle still believes that when Haliburton heals he will be every bit as good - whenever that may be.
"He will be back," Carlisle said following the 103-91 loss at Oklahoma City. "I don't have any medical information about what's what, what may or may not have happened. But he'll be back in time, and I believe he'll make a full recovery."
A healthy Haliburton certainly makes the Pacers a stronger team. They likely wouldn't have made it this far without him helping to orchestrate three incredible rallies from seven points down in the final 50 seconds of regulation in three weeks.
But after scoring nine points, all on 3-pointers, in the first seven minutes of the biggest game in franchise history, Haliburton's crash to the floor and sudden departure created a double whammy for Indiana.
Not only did they lose their leader, but Indiana also fell short in its title chase. Again.
There are silver linings, though.
At age 25, Haliburton is young enough to return to his pre-injury form and today's medical advances could help shorten the expected timetable of about 12 months.
And nine of Indiana's top 10 players are under contract for 2025-26, with starting centre Myles Turner the lone exception.
