Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals was supposed to be the grand finale of an epic postseason — instead, it delivered heartbreak just minutes in. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton went down hard in the first quarter with what his father later confirmed to be an Achilles injury update, turning the entire energy of the night on its head.
In what many are calling one of the most emotional NBA Finals moments in recent memory, Haliburton collapsed after a non-contact play and immediately clutched his lower right leg, pounding the hardwood in visible pain. The 24-year-old had been battling a calf strain sustained in Game 5 but had powered through Games 6 and the start of Game 7 — until his body said otherwise.
What Happened on the Court
Roughly six minutes into the first quarter, Haliburton pulled up and went down. Teammates quickly surrounded him. He was eventually helped off the court without being able to put weight on his right leg. A towel covered his head as he exited, but cameras captured the anguish on his face — and on the face of his father, John Haliburton, watching from the stands.
ESPN’s Lisa Salters later confirmed via John Haliburton that the injury was to his Achilles. The team officially ruled Tyrese out for the rest of the game with a “right lower leg injury.”
Aftermath and Fallout
The Pacers, already considered underdogs against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder, never recovered. They ultimately fell 103-91, handing the Thunder their first NBA title since the team’s relocation to OKC.
Haliburton, on crutches and wearing a medical boot, appeared briefly after the game to support his teammates. Head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t offer further medical clarity but shared, “Our hearts dropped. Tyrese authored one of the greatest individual playoff runs we’ve ever seen. He’ll be back.”
What This Means Going Forward
If confirmed as a full Achilles tear, the injury could sideline Haliburton for the entire 2025–26 season. A similar timeline was projected for stars like Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard, who also suffered Achilles injuries earlier in these playoffs. The injury also marks a massive turning point for the Pacers, whose Cinderella run to the Finals was largely driven by Haliburton’s leadership and late-game heroics.
Before the injury, Haliburton was averaging 17.7 points, 9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in the postseason — including game-winners in each round. His presence, poise, and playmaking had turned the Pacers into one of the most thrilling teams of the playoffs.
Reactions Across the League
Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 28 points to close out the title, gave an emotional nod to his fallen opponent. “My heart dropped for him. I can’t imagine something like that happening in the biggest game of your life. Prayers up,” he said post-game.
Fans, analysts, and players alike have echoed the sentiment — that the NBA Finals lost a little bit of magic when Haliburton went down. It’s a cruel reminder of how fragile sports legacies can be, and how quickly triumph can turn to tragedy.
Looking Ahead
Tyrese Haliburton went down with an injury in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/AZ1uk65dFg
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025
For now, the NBA world waits for official word from the Pacers on the extent of the injury. But early signs point to a lengthy rehab, and a long offseason ahead for both Haliburton and Indiana.
Still, if there’s one thing the past few months have shown, it’s that Tyrese Haliburton is built different. Whether it’s buzzer-beaters or battling through pain, he’s proven to be a fighter — and no injury can take away the legacy he cemented this postseason.
Alex Carter is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade of covering international and domestic sports events. From the roar of football stadiums to the high-octane energy of F1 tracks, Alex delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive interviews with sports icons. His passion for sports extends to coaching local youth teams on weekends.
