Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sustained a torn proper Achilles tendon in Recreation 7 of the NBA Finals in opposition to Oklahoma City, sources instructed ESPN on Monday.
The harm places his standing for the 2025-26 season in jeopardy.
Haliburton, who performed via a calf pressure within the NBA Finals for the chance to win a championship, is evaluating surgical choices, sources instructed ESPN.
The seriousness of the harm was obvious from the second the Pacers’ star guard — who had been enjoying via a strained proper calf — crumpled to the floor without 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 many of the Pacers staff 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 could possibly be heard from outdoors the locker room as he watched the Pacers fall brief of their try to clinch a championship with out him.
He suffered the calf pressure in Recreation 5 of the Finals, however he insisted on enjoying via the harm, saying, “If I can stroll, I need to play.”
The day earlier than Recreation 7, Haliburton acknowledged after observe his leg was “nonetheless stiff, nonetheless sore,” however he stated he deliberate to play via it.
Haliburton, 25, had been the breakout star of the postseason, main Indiana on its unbelievable run to the Finals. In all 4 rounds, he hit a tying or profitable shot within the remaining 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 have 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 stated. “It was one thing that nobody’s ever seen and did it as one in every of 17. You recognize, that is the attractive factor about him: As nice a participant as he’s, it is at all times a staff factor.”
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.