Tyrese Haliburton Sidelined After Achilles Injury During NBA Finals

Emotional Scene as Tyrese Haliburton Goes Down with Injury

In a deeply emotional moment, Pacers powerhouse Tyrese Haliburton was assisted off the court after suffering a right leg injury in the first quarter of Indiana’s 103-91 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Haliburton’s father, John, later disclosed to ESPN’s Lisa Salters that the injury involves his Achilles tendon.

Haliburton’s Tough Exit from the Court

Visibly distressed, Haliburton couldn’t bear weight on his injured leg. As he was escorted for further assessment, his face was concealed in towels. After evaluation, the Pacers confirmed he wouldn’t rejoin the game.

John Haliburton stated that his son was surrounded by family while watching the remainder of the game from the locker room.

“He’s coping as best as possible,” shared Salters during the broadcast.

After the final whistle, cameras captured Haliburton on crutches in the tunnel. He warmly hugged his teammates as they left the court.

Injury Occurrence and Team’s Support

With just under five minutes left in the opening quarter, Haliburton, who had been battling a calf strain, fell to the ground following a non-contact moment while making a play for the basket.

Expressing his frustration, he slapped the court repeatedly as his teammates gathered around him.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Myles Turner to Salters during an in-game chat. “It’s a tough break, but we’re all here for him.”

At the time of the injury, Haliburton had already scored nine points, making 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.

Playing Through Pain

Despite the setback of a calf strain during Game 5, Haliburton was determined to stay on the court, saying “If I can walk, I want to play.”

Even the day before Game 7, acknowledging his leg was “still stiff, still sore,” he remained committed to playing.

Haliburton’s Impactful Postseason Performance

In his standout postseason, Haliburton was the driving force behind Indiana’s incredible journey to the Finals. He set an unprecedented record by hitting a game-changing or deciding shot in the final moments of each round.

Averaging 17.7 points and leading with 9.0 assists on 46% shooting before Sunday’s game, Haliburton also set a new team record with 197 assists in a single postseason. His effort and impact were nothing short of remarkable.