NBA legend delivers cryptic warning: “Tyrese Haliburton is finished, he’s not coming back”

The basketball world fell silent on June 22 when Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon just seven minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Fighting back tears, the 25-year-old had to be helped off the court by two staff members, a towel covering his face as the sold-out Oklahoma City crowd watched in stunned silence.

What was supposed to be a classic winner-take-all matchup instantly turned somber. An Achilles rupture ranks among the most devastating injuries in basketball, rivaling a torn ACL for its difficulty and recovery time. Fans who had marveled at Haliburton’s electrifying postseason were left heartbroken, knowing it could be a long time before he returns.

Thunder take the title after Haliburton injury

The Finals themselves effectively ended there. The Oklahoma City Thunder went on to claim a 103-91 victory behind superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sealing a championship run that will live in franchise history.

For Haliburton, the playoffs had been a coming-of-age moment. He dazzled with clutch shooting and highlight-reel performances, cementing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young stars. Days after undergoing surgery, the Pacers confirmed he would miss the entire 2025-26 season, a crushing blow to a player who seemed destined for superstardom.

Hardaway draws comparisons to Reggie Miller

NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway, a five-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, reflected on the injury in a recent interview. Hardaway compared Haliburton to Indiana legend Reggie Miller, noting that Miller never suffered a major injury during his career.

“Haliburton is a great talent,” Hardaway said. “He was ready to play an epic Game 7. You could see it in his eyes, in his attitude, in everything. I feel for him. I’m praying for him.” Hardaway even suggested that Haliburton’s playoff heroics might have rivaled some of Miller’s most famous clutch moments.

A bleak prognosis, but a glimmer of hope for Haliburton

Despite his admiration, Hardaway was blunt about Haliburton’s outlook. “He’s done for this season. He’s finished. He’s not coming back,” he said, leaving some to wonder whether he was speaking only about the 2025-26 campaign or hinting at doubts about a full recovery.

Hardaway, who retired in 2003 after a final stint alongside Miller, also offered a measure of optimism, saying he expects the Pacers to strengthen their roster while Haliburton rehabs. Modern medicine has made Achilles recoveries far more common, but suffering such an injury at just 25 remains a daunting challenge.

Whether Haliburton can reclaim his pre-injury brilliance will be one of the NBA’s most compelling storylines in the years ahead.

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