Tyrese Haliburton injury update: how serious is it and will he be back for the start of next season?
The Pacers star had started strong, but a suspected Achilles injury brought his night, and perhaps more, to a painful end.
A spectacular start to Game 7 of the Finals – 9 points, hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc – set the tone for a fired-up performance. The score was tied at 16-16. The Pacers had weathered the first collective scare. They were going all in, led by a fired-up Tyrese Haliburton on the biggest night of his still-young career. And then came the crash. In the slow-motion replay, you can almost hear the snap.
How did Haliburton get injured?
His leg gave way as he began a drive to the basket. The right one – the same leg that had troubled him in recent days, cast doubt over his availability, sapped his explosiveness, and will now sideline him for an unknown period.
SGA on Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 23, 2025
“My heart dropped for him. I couldn't imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. I just felt so bad for him. Prayers go out to him for sure. Hell of a player.”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/wm9d11G9Pq
The clock showed 5:02 left in the first quarter. Haliburton attacked Shai’s left side – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the other Finals superstar if you had to single out one per team. His leg buckled, sending him crashing face-first to the hardwood. As play continued, he stayed down, pounding the floor in a mix of rage and tears. He knew.
The Achilles tendon had been hinting at trouble via his calf in Games 4 and 5, limited his minutes in Game 6, and finally gave out in Game 7. His teammates quickly huddled around him as he lay there in unimaginable pain. They helped him off the court, and that was it – he was gone.
Tyrese Haliburton on crutches greeting his teammates 🥺 pic.twitter.com/a3xhHFeqgf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 23, 2025
How long with Haliburton be out?
It’s impossible to say with any certainty how long the young star will now be gone from the game. An Achilles tear is likely to mean no action for next season. Thereafter, it’s a case of fingers crossed.
NBA players react to Haliburton injury
Former Pacers player Scot Pollard’s asterisk with a sarcastic twist:
I don’t want to hear one word about asterisk or what if. Sports is sports and what happens happens. Congrats to the Sonics
— Scot Pollard (@ScotPollard31) June 23, 2025
Two rivals who know him well: James and Hart:
FUCK!!!!!!!! 🤦🏾♂️🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 23, 2025
Ty 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 23, 2025
More elaborate, focusing on how injuries lead to breaks, are men like Donovan Mitchell, Sam Dekker (Joventut), Isaiah Thomas, etc.:
These calf strains ain’t no joke man!! Praying for Ty 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 23, 2025
More and more and more and more this is happening. Basketball is way too long and way too difficult on guys bodies now. @NBA needs to find a way to shorten the season to keep these guys safe. This game is tougher than ever. Stars are breaking down.
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 23, 2025
Them calf strains are nothing to play with. The next thing if not healed right is always Achilles. Man I feel bad for bro!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) June 23, 2025
We’ll never forget Tyrese Haliburton’s playoff run
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 23, 2025
One of one pic.twitter.com/76GksdgfBT
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