Here’s the **shocking official news**: During **Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals (June 22, 2025)**, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a **non-contact tear of his right Achilles tendon** in the first quarter. The injury was confirmed by MRI the following Monday. He then underwent surgery with Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York ([theguardian.com][1]).
* The Pacers confirmed he’ll be **out for most, and likely all, of the 2025‑26 season**, with a typical recovery timeline of 8–12 months ([en.wikipedia.org][2]).
* Head coach **Rick Carlisle shared that “all our hearts dropped”** when he went down, while expressing confidence in a full recovery ([philstar.com][3]).
* In a poignant social media statement, Haliburton described the moment as shocking and heartbreaking (“Makes no sense… I’d do it again…”), reaffirming his commitment to return stronger ([en.as.com][4]).
This devastating blow came as Haliburton was sealing arguably **the greatest individual playoff run in Pacers history**, helping lead Indiana to its **first Finals appearance since 2000** ([en.wikipedia.org][2]).
⚠️ Implications:
* The Pacers lose their dynamic floor general, threatening their championship window—though they still have a solid core of Siakam, Mathurin, Nembhard, Sheppard, and Walker ([foxsports.com][5]).
* A healing Achilles isn’t just physical—it tests confidence and agility. Many NBA players need a full year to regain peak form after such injuries.
What’s next:
* A long road ahead: surgery → rehabilitation → game readiness, meaning preparation for a **late return in 2026**.
* Team strategy may shift toward internal development and potential offseason roster moves to cover his absence.
It’s a gut-wrenching perfect storm: a star at his peak, dramatic Finals backdrop, and a career-defining season cut short. But Haliburton’s public determination, and the Pacers’ belief in his return, inject hope into what otherwise feels like a tragic turn.
* [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/24/tyrese-haliburton-injury-achilles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [talksport.com](https://talksport.com/basketball/3316634/nba-tyrese-haliburton-statement-achilles-injury-caitlin-clark/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [people.com](https://people.com/tyrese-haliburton-shares-update-after-achilles-surgery-11760000?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/24/tyrese-haliburton-injury-achilles?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Tyrese Haliburton says torn achilles in NBA finals ‘makes no sense’ as injury is confirmed”
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_Indiana_Pacers_season?utm_source=chatgpt.com “2024–25 Indiana Pacers season”
[3]: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/23/2452718/pacers-coach-says-hearts-dropped-after-haliburton-injury?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Pacers coach says ‘hearts dropped’ after Haliburton injury | Philstar.com”
[4]: https://en.as.com/nba/indiana-pacers-tyrese-haliburton-breaks-silence-after-rupturing-achilles-tendon-it-doesnt-make-sense-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton breaks silence after rupturing Achilles tendon: “It doesn’t make sense…” – AS USA”
[5]: https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nba/pacers-bright-future-becomes-much-cloudier-because-of-tyrese-haliburtons-injury?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Pacers bright future becomes much cloudier because of Tyrese Haliburton’s injury | FOX Sports”
