Tyrese Haliburton Exits NBA Finals in Tears After Suffering Injury Minutes into Game 7

Published: June 23, 2025

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was left in tears after suffering a game-ending injury to his Achilles just minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The 25-year-old guard was helped off the court by officials, his season coming to a devastating end.

"All of our hearts dropped," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after the game, which the Pacers lost 103-91 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling just shy of the team's first NBA Championship.

Haliburton, who had been playing through a right calf injury, knew the severity of the situation immediately. "No! No!" he shouted, slamming his fist on the court in agony.

The Pacers, who made it to the NBA Playoffs with a modest 50-32 record as a No. 4 seed, were led by Haliburton's playoff magic, which included four different go-ahead or game-tying shots in the final five seconds throughout the playoffs.

Despite the injury, Haliburton had said heading into Game 7, "If I can walk, I want to play." However, his leg seemed to reach its breaking point when his right calf appeared to pop while he stepped towards the basket.

The Pacers tried to hold on, cutting the game to within 10 points in the final minutes, but ultimately fell short. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder proved too much down the stretch, capping off their own first NBA title run with the Sunday night victory.

Pacers players were visibly upset as they left the floor, greeted by Haliburton, who stood on crutches and hugged his teammates one by one after the game.

"We all are devastated for him," Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said after the game. "I was thinking about it the whole game," Pacers forward Obi Toppin added.

Pacers veteran Pascal Siakam said afterwards that he was "proud" of what Haliburton accomplished, despite the tragic end to his and his teammates' season.

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