Tyrese Haliburton Suffers Achilles Injury in Game 7
Tyrese Haliburton suffers an Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, turning what should have been a historic night between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder into one of heartbreak. The Pacers’ star guard went down in the first quarter with a non-contact leg injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game—and possibly the season.
The situation became more controversial when veteran analyst Skip Bayless posted dismissive comments on X about Haliburton’s calf strain, just minutes before the player collapsed in pain on the court.
Bayless Under Fire for Questioning Haliburton’s Injury Before Collapse
“SO HURT.”
Moments later, he followed up with a more pointed accusation:
“Looks like the Pacers planted the injury excuse early, and the media swallowed it whole.”
Just five minutes after those posts, Haliburton crumpled to the floor without any contact during a drive to the basket, clutching his lower leg. He had to be helped off the court by teammates and medical staff, clearly unable to walk.
Bayless responded with a lukewarm follow-up tweet:
“Hope it’s not too bad.”
The internet immediately exploded with criticism, accusing Bayless of being insensitive and disrespectful. NBA fans and media personalities flooded the platform to express their outrage, calling his remarks reckless and lacking empathy.
Read the full thread on Skip Bayless’ posts:
https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless
Haliburton’s Father Confirms Achilles Injury
According to ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, confirmed that his son had sustained an Achilles injury. While the full extent of the damage has not yet been disclosed, initial reports indicate a potential full tear—a devastating diagnosis for any player, especially one in the middle of a breakout postseason.
John Haliburton shared that despite the injury, his son remained in relatively good spirits. Tyrese was watching the remainder of the game from the locker room, offering moral support to his teammates even while wrapped in towels and unable to bear weight on his leg.
Moment of Injury: Heartbreak on the Court
The injury occurred with 4:55 left in the first quarter. Haliburton had possession of the ball and was attacking the lane when he suddenly went down without contact—a classic symptom of a non-contact Achilles rupture. His immediate reaction was telling: he began pounding the hardwood in frustration and anguish.
Nearly the entire Indiana Pacers bench rushed to his side. Players from both teams paused the action, and fans inside the Paycom Center fell silent as the franchise cornerstone was helped off the court.
Myles Turner, Indiana’s veteran center, reflected on the moment during an in-game interview:
“It’s a heartbreak, man. It’s unfortunate… but we’ve got his back. He’s been everything to this team.”
Stats and Impact: A Postseason Like No Other
Before the injury, Haliburton had already racked up 9 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc in less than eight minutes of play. But his impact this postseason goes far beyond one game.
In this year’s playoffs, Haliburton was averaging 17.7 points and led all players in assists with 9.0 per game. He also set a franchise record for the Indiana Pacers with 197 total assists during the postseason run.
Even more impressively, Haliburton made NBA history by hitting either a game-tying or game-winning shot in the final seconds in all four playoff rounds. No other player had ever done that in a single postseason.
View full playoff stats on Haliburton’s historic run:
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/tyrese-haliburton
A Risk Taken: Playing Through the Pain
Haliburton had suffered a right calf strain in Game 5 of the series, raising doubts about his availability for the remaining games. However, in classic competitor fashion, the 25-year-old declared his intent to play through the pain.
Speaking after practice the day before Game 7, Haliburton told reporters:
“It’s still stiff, still sore. But if I can walk, I want to play.”
The sentiment struck a chord with fans and teammates alike, but it now raises questions about whether he should have rested, especially considering that Achilles injuries are often preceded by calf issues.
Star Support and NBA Reactions
The injury sparked an outpouring of support from across the sports world. LeBron James tweeted,
“Prayers up for Tyrese. Kid been ballin’ all playoffs. This hurts the game.”
NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes added:
“Tough to see. Respect for how he fought through it. Praying for a speedy recovery, @TyHaliburton22.”
Former and current NBA players also weighed in, with many voicing their frustrations at the risk elite players face when pushing through injuries for the sake of high-stakes games.
Also read:
NBA Finals Game 7: Historical Matchups and Drama Since 1951
What This Means for the Pacers
Indiana’s Cinderella run to the NBA Finals was already one of the most unlikely stories in recent league history. With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers lost not only their top playmaker but also the emotional leader of their squad.
It’s unclear if Indiana can rally without him. But Haliburton’s injury has changed Game 7—and may impact the team’s future next season.
Head coach Rick Carlisle addressed the team’s mindset during halftime:
“We’re playing for Tyrese now. This team was built on heart, and we’ve still got a lot left.”
Looking Ahead: Recovery Timeline and Uncertainty
Achilles injuries typically require 9 to 12 months of recovery, depending on the severity and rehabilitation success. If Haliburton’s Achilles is fully torn, he could miss the start of next season. He might even be out the entire year.
The Pacers’ medical team has not shared an official update, and fans across the league are waiting anxiously for clarity.
For now, one thing is clear: a rising NBA star is sidelined, at least temporarily, on the game’s biggest stage.
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Read also: NBA Finals 2025 Game 3 Recap