Haliburton, out of NBA Finals Game 7 due to serious Achilles injury

Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton Suffers Injury in NBA Finals Game 7

Oklahoma City – The Paycom Center fell into a tense silence on Sunday when Tyrese Haliburton, the key figure for the Indiana Pacers, was injured during the first quarter of the seventh game of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton, who was already dealing with a right calf strain since Game 5, was attempting a drive when his right leg gave out. He fell to the floor, visibly frustrated, as the medical team and the Pacers’ bench rushed to his aid. The guard was removed from the game unable to put weight on his leg, covering his face with a towel.

Tyrese Haliburton is on the ground and screaming in pain 😬
Prayers up for Hali 🙏pic.twitter.com/T5cI8vPlt8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 23, 2025

His father, John Haliburton, confirmed that the injury could be in the Achilles tendon, suggesting a possible rupture. The image of the players and coaches surrounding him on the court reflected the emotional impact that the incident had on the team. With 4:55 remaining in the first quarter, the Pacers announced that Haliburton would not return to the game due to a right lower leg injury. Until that moment, he had propelled the team with three three-pointers scored, showing his determination to lead Indiana in the most crucial game of the season.

“It’s heartbreaking, man. It’s unfortunate… but we stand by it.”

Myles Turner

Haliburton had done everything possible to play, receiving constant treatment to be in games 6 and 7. “I’m a competitor,” he had declared days before, “I’m going to do everything in my power to play.” The severity of the injury could affect his participation in the 2025-2026 season, a hard blow for the Pacers and for the NBA, which has seen how injuries have impacted several of its stars in these playoffs.