Tyrese Haliburton’s journey in the NBA Finals took a devastating turn as he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, confirmed by the Pacers on Monday. The incident occurred during the pivotal Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading to a loss for the Pacers in their title pursuit.

Haliburton had started the game strongly, sinking three 3-pointers within minutes before the unfortunate injury occurred, which he quickly recognized as serious. Following his fall, he was observed pounding the floor in despair, a clear sign of the situation’s gravity. This injury is expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the upcoming season.

It’s worth noting the ongoing distress among NBA teams regarding Achilles injuries this postseason, with Haliburton becoming the third All-Star to face such a setback, following Lillard and Tatum, who are also slated to miss significant time next season.

In recent interviews, Haliburton acknowledged the risks associated with continuing to play despite a pre-existing calf strain, revealing how cautious players need to be about their health.

Coach Rick Carlisle expressed confidence in Haliburton’s ability to recover, praising his remarkable playoff performance and the impact he has had on the Pacers’ campaign.