Tyrese Haliburton Injury Stuns Game 7 as Pacers Rally Around Fallen Star

Game 7 of the NBA Finals took a dramatic and emotional turn when Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton collapsed on the court with a suspected Achilles injury. With 3:55 left in the first quarter, Haliburton went down while attempting to sidestep Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort. The 24-year-old point guard immediately clutched his leg and struck the floor in frustration, signaling the seriousness of the moment.

Haliburton had been playing through a calf strain sustained in Game 5 but showed no signs of slowing down in Game 6, leading the Pacers to a dominant win. He began Game 7 with similar energy, scoring nine points in just seven minutes before exiting the game. As medical staff attended to him, his teammates formed a circle around him, shielding cameras and visibly shaking, some kneeling in prayer.

His father, John Haliburton who was recently reinstated after a temporary ban for an incident in the first round rushed from the stands to the locker room tunnel. ESPN’s Lisa Salters later confirmed, via a conversation with Haliburton’s father, that the injury involved the Achilles, though the extent has yet to be officially diagnosed.

Head coach Rick Carlisle had stated before the game that Haliburton would not be on a minutes restriction, emphasizing that the team would “monitor things closely.” In the wake of the injury, Indiana turned to veteran T.J. McConnell to absorb Haliburton’s minutes. McConnell, a reliable presence throughout the playoffs, has averaged 11.3 points and 4.5 assists in limited action.

Haliburton’s playoff run had solidified his status as one of the league’s emerging stars. From a game-winning layup against Milwaukee to a buzzer-beating three versus Cleveland and several clutch moments against the Knicks and Thunder, his impact was undeniable. The injury, if confirmed severe, casts a long shadow over what had been a breakout postseason.

While the game continued, messages of support flooded social media from across the NBA, including LeBron James and Patrick Beverley. Regardless of the outcome, Game 7 will be remembered as a defining moment not just in the series, but in Haliburton’s young and promising career.