Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is officially out for the entire 2025-26 NBA season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon.
The 25-year-old went down in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling to the floor without contact while driving to the basket. The Pacers went on to lose the decisive game 103-91, ending their bid for a first-ever NBA championship.
Pacers president Kevin Pritchard spoke on Haliburtons situation.
“I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever… He will not play next year though. We would not jeopardize that now. Don’t get any hopes up that he will play.” According to WISH-TV.
Haliburton battled through a calf strain in Game 5 of the Finals but ultimately could not finish the series healthy.
In 73 regular season games last year, the two-time All-Star averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals. In the Finals, he posted 14 points, 5.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The loss of Haliburton is a crushing blow for a Pacers team that had stunned the NBA world with their deep playoff run.
After finishing third in the Eastern Conference, Indiana upset both the Celtics and the Bucks to reach the Finals for the first time in franchise history. Haliburton’s playmaking and leadership were central to that success, and his absence next season leaves a massive void.
Pritchard said the Pacers are committed to supporting Haliburton’s recovery.
The injury marks the third Achilles rupture suffered by a high-profile player during the postseason. Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard also sustained the same devastating injury in these playoffs.
Kevin Durant missed an entire season with a similar injury after tearing his Achilles in the 2019 Finals while playing for Golden State.
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