Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton left Game 7 of the NBA Finals with an injury
Legendusashirt: Heartbreak for Pacers as Haliburton Exits Game 7 with Injury
The Indiana Pacers' dream of an NBA championship was dealt a devastating blow early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, as star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was forced to exit the decisive contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a severe lower leg injury.
Haliburton, who had been battling a strained right calf throughout the series and was a game-time decision for Game 6, appeared to re-injure the same leg during a non-contact play. As he attempted to drive, he slipped and fell to the court, immediately clutching his leg and pounding the hardwood in obvious agony. The sight of their emotional leader in such distress sent a collective gasp through the Paycom Center and a wave of concern across the league.
While the Pacers initially ruled him out with a "right lower leg injury," Haliburton's father confirmed to ESPN that it was an Achilles injury, a diagnosis that could sideline the young All-Star for a significant period, potentially impacting his 2025-26 season.
Prior to the injury, Haliburton had started Game 7 aggressively, knocking down three quick three-pointers and scoring nine points, seemingly poised for a big performance. His absence immediately impacted the Pacers' offensive rhythm and playmaking. Though Indiana, fueled by emotion and grit, managed to take a one-point lead into halftime, the sustained absence of their floor general proved insurmountable. The Thunder capitalized in the second half, especially in the third quarter, pulling away as the Pacers struggled to generate consistent offense without Haliburton's vision and scoring punch.
This injury is a cruel twist of fate for Haliburton and the Pacers, who had exceeded all expectations by reaching the NBA Finals. It not only dashed their championship hopes in the most critical game of the season but also raises significant questions about Haliburton's long-term health and the team's trajectory moving forward. The impact of losing their creative engine was palpable, and while other Pacers like Bennedict Mathurin stepped up, the void left by Haliburton was simply too large to fill in a winner-take-all championship contest.
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