Haliburton s future in jeopardy after Achilles surgery, could miss next season

The Indiana Pacers and their fanbase have been dealt a crushing blow with the news that superstar guard Tyrese Haliburton could be sidelined for the entirety of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. The 25-year-old All-Star underwent surgery on Monday for a torn right Achilles tendon, an injury he sustained without contact during the first quarter of the decisive Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Haliburton's visible distress as he was helped off the court underscored the severity of the injury. His absence loomed large over the remainder of the game, which the Pacers ultimately lost 103-91, ending their quest for a first NBA title. The Pacers confirmed the surgery, stating a likely recovery timeline of eight to ten months, which places his return well into or beyond the next season.

Bu gönderiyi Instagram'da gör

Tyrese Haliburton (@tyresehaliburton)'in paylaştığı bir gönderi

This devastating injury marks Haliburton as the third high-profile player to suffer a ruptured Achilles tendon in this season's playoffs alone, following similar setbacks for Boston's Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard. The nature of Haliburton's injury draws parallels to the one that kept Kevin Durant out for an entire season after he was hurt in the 2019 NBA Finals while playing for the Golden State Warriors.

Adding to the heartbreak, Haliburton had bravely played in Sunday's Game 7 despite suffering a calf strain in Game 5 of the Finals. His incredible playoff run had been marked by a penchant for clutch moments, where he hit a tying or winning shot in the final seconds of all four playoff rounds—a testament to his determination and rising star power.

Following his surgery, Haliburton took to social media, expressing his profound pain and frustration. "I'd do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers," he posted on X. "For the chance to do something special. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I've worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends?"

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offered words of encouragement after Sunday's game, acknowledging the team's emotional response to the injury. "What happened with Tyrese, all of our hearts dropped," he said. Despite the immediate setback, Carlisle expressed optimism for Haliburton's return: "But he will be back in time, and I believe he'll make a full recovery."

The Pacers now face an uncertain future without their dynamic playmaker, as the basketball world awaits Haliburton's long road to recovery, hoping for his full and successful return to the court.