Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sustained a torn proper Achilles tendon in Recreation 7 of the NBA Finals in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis, sources advised ESPN on Monday.
The damage places his standing for the 2025-26 season in jeopardy.
Haliburton, who performed by way of a calf pressure within the NBA Finals for the chance to win a championship, is evaluating surgical choices, sources advised ESPN.
The seriousness of the damage was obvious from the second the Pacers’ star guard — who had been enjoying by way of a strained proper calf — crumpled to the ground with out contact as he was trying to drive to the basket with 4:55 remaining within the opening quarter.
He instantly started slapping the court docket in frustration and remained on the ground as just about all the Pacers group surrounded him.
Mentioned Pacers coach Rick Carlisle: “All of our hearts dropped.”
Haliburton put no weight on the leg and had his face wrapped in towels as he was taken to the locker room. He spent the remainder of the 103-91 loss surrounded by household, with applause that may very well be heard from exterior the locker room as he watched the Pacers fall quick of their try and clinch a championship with out him.
He suffered the calf pressure in Recreation 5 of the Finals, however he insisted on enjoying by way of the damage, saying, “If I can stroll, I wish to play.”
The day earlier than Recreation 7, Haliburton acknowledged after observe his leg was “nonetheless stiff, nonetheless sore,” however he mentioned he deliberate to play by way of it.
Haliburton, 25, had been the breakout star of the postseason, main Indiana on its inconceivable run to the Finals. In all 4 rounds, he hit a tying or successful shot within the ultimate seconds, changing into the league’s first participant achieve this in a single postseason.
He was averaging 17.7 factors and a playoff-leading 9.0 assists on 46% capturing coming into Sunday. His 197 assists had been a franchise document for a single postseason.
“He authored one of many nice particular person playoff runs within the historical past of the NBA with dramatic play after dramatic play,” Carlisle mentioned. “It was one thing that nobody’s ever seen and did it as one in all 17. You already know, that is the gorgeous factor about him: As nice a participant as he’s, it is all the time a group factor.”
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
