We’ve got both good and bad news for Indiana Pacers fans today.
The good? BallersCulture is officially expanding into full WNBA and NBA coverage — so stay locked in for everything hoops, every level, every league.
The bad? This one hurts to write: Tyrese Haliburton — the heart, soul, and engine of the Pacers’ Cinderella Finals run — has torn his right Achilles tendon, confirmed by an MRI following Game 7. He’s scheduled for surgery today and could miss the entire 2025–26 season.
Let that sink in.
After leading Indiana from a 10-15 start to within one win of their first-ever NBA championship, Haliburton’s storybook playoff run ended with one brutal twist. In the opening minutes of Game 7, after dropping three early triples, he collapsed awkwardly and left the game — and possibly, the court — for a long, painful stretch.
The Fall After the Rise
Tyrese Haliburton didn’t just guide the Pacers to the Finals. He willed them there.
In the span of three weeks, he delivered three double-digit comebacks, hit multiple game-winning shots, and orchestrated a relentless offense that ranked as the most explosive in the playoffs. His energy, joy, and unselfish brilliance made the Pacers not just contenders — but believers.
And then came Game 7.
Just seven minutes in, after lighting up Oklahoma City from deep, Haliburton collapsed on a push-off — the classic mechanism of an Achilles tear. The silence in the arena was chilling. And when the MRI confirmed the worst Monday morning, it sent a shockwave through the franchise.
“He’ll be back in time, and I believe he’ll make a full recovery,” said head coach Rick Carlisle postgame.
That’s the hope — but the road is long.
What This Means for Indiana
The reality? Haliburton may miss the entire 2025–26 season. The average timeline for an Achilles rupture recovery ranges from 9 to 12+ months. Even with top-tier medical care (he’s undergoing surgery with Dr. Martin O’Malley in New York), this is a mountain to climb.
Yet, the Pacers may be better prepared than most.
Here’s what they’ve got going for them:
- Nine of their top 10 players are under contract next season, with only Myles Turner (unrestricted free agent) potentially on the move.
- Strong backup guards in Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, both of whom proved capable of running the offense in Haliburton’s absence.
- Emerging young wings like Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, and Jarace Walker, who now have the chance to step into expanded roles.
- A fearless playoff-tested identity built on tempo, unselfish play, and depth — a blueprint that doesn’t rely on a single superstar.
While replacing Haliburton’s unique combination of vision, pace, and charisma is impossible, Indiana has the tools to stay afloat — and maybe surprise again.
The Human Element
Still, the numbers don’t capture what Tyrese Haliburton means to this team. After the loss, it was Haliburton — not his teammates — doing the consoling.
“That’s who Tyrese Haliburton is,” said McConnell. “He’s just the greatest.”
Pascal Siakam echoed the sentiment.
“We just kept battling because we wanted to make Indiana proud,” he said. “Playing with these guys brought me joy and swagger. I know more is coming.”
It’s the kind of emotional leadership you can’t teach. And even if he’s sidelined in sneakers instead of sneakers-and-socks, Haliburton will still be there — guiding, teaching, believing.
The Bigger Picture
At just 25, Haliburton has age on his side. Many players — from Kevin Durant to Klay Thompson — have made successful comebacks from Achilles injuries. And knowing Haliburton, he’ll turn this setback into a future chapter of triumph.
But for now, Indiana enters the offseason with uncertainty. Do they chase a veteran guard as insurance? Do they bet on development from within?
Either way, Haliburton’s absence will be felt, not just in Indiana — but across the league.
He was that special this postseason.
And when he comes back, you better believe he’s coming with a vengeance.
