Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton faces a possible season-long absence after tearing his right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the NBA Championship finals. The 25-year-old guard collapsed without contact seven minutes into the first quarter against Oklahoma City Thunder. Team officials helped him leave the court as he showed clear signs of pain. The Pacers lost the decisive game 103-91 and missed their chance at a first NBA title. Doctors will perform surgery on Monday to repair the damaged tendon.
Medical experts expect Haliburton to need eight to 10 months for full recovery from the injury. The two-time All-Star becomes the third major player to suffer an Achilles rupture during these playoffs after Boston's Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard. Kevin Durant experienced a similar injury during the 2019 NBA Finals that cost him an entire season with Golden State Warriors. Haliburton had been playing through a calf strain he suffered in Game 5 of the finals series. His remarkable playoff run included game-winning or tying shots in the final seconds of all four postseason rounds.
Coach Rick Carlisle expressed concern for his star player after Sunday's heartbreaking loss. Haliburton posted on social media about his frustration with the timing of the injury. He wrote about his willingness to compete again for his teammates and the city of Indianapolis. The guard questioned how his lifelong dream could end in such a devastating manner. Carlisle believes Haliburton will return healthy and make a complete recovery from the setback.
Medical experts expect Haliburton to need eight to 10 months for full recovery from the injury. The two-time All-Star becomes the third major player to suffer an Achilles rupture during these playoffs after Boston's Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard. Kevin Durant experienced a similar injury during the 2019 NBA Finals that cost him an entire season with Golden State Warriors. Haliburton had been playing through a calf strain he suffered in Game 5 of the finals series. His remarkable playoff run included game-winning or tying shots in the final seconds of all four postseason rounds.
Coach Rick Carlisle expressed concern for his star player after Sunday's heartbreaking loss. Haliburton posted on social media about his frustration with the timing of the injury. He wrote about his willingness to compete again for his teammates and the city of Indianapolis. The guard questioned how his lifelong dream could end in such a devastating manner. Carlisle believes Haliburton will return healthy and make a complete recovery from the setback.
