New York (AFP) – Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in a game-seven loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals, according to multiple reports Monday. The 25-year-old American point guard is at risk of missing the entire 2025-26 campaign as a result of the injury, similar to one which cost NBA star Kevin Durant a full season after being hurt in the 2019 NBA Finals, according to ESPN and The Athletic.
Haliburton became the third star player to be lost in the playoffs to a ruptured Achilles tendon after Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard — with all three uncertain at best for next season. Haliburton is evaluating surgical options, according to the reports, after playing despite a calf strain in the NBA Finals in hopes of bringing the Pacers their first NBA title.
Related news
The Indiana star went down without being touched as he tried to drive to the basket just over seven minutes into the first quarter of the winner-take-all contest in the best-of-seven championship series. Haliburton grimaced in pain and began slapping the court. He put no weight on the injured leg as he was helped off the court with towels covering his face.
Haliburton had been averaging 17.7 points and an NBA-best 9.0 assists a game in the playoffs. Without Haliburton, the Pacers went on to lose 103-91 in Oklahoma City, which won the NBA title for the first time.
© 2024 AFP
