The Indiana Pacers faced heartbreak in the 2024 NBA Finals when star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a severe injury early in the deciding Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This injury threatens to keep Haliburton sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season, casting a shadow over the Pacers’ remarkable postseason journey and their hopes of ending a 52-year championship drought.
Haliburton’s injury occurred just over seven minutes into the final game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, as he went down with a non-contact injury to his right leg. His father, John Haliburton, confirmed to ESPN that it was an Achilles tendon injury, although medical officials have yet to confirm the diagnosis. This setback came during an intense series that required a full Game 7 for the first time in nearly a decade, with the Thunder ultimately winning 103-91 to secure their first title since relocating in 2008.
Reggie Miller Reflects on Pacers’ Resilience Amid Setback
Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who led Indiana to the Finals in 2000 alongside Jalen Rose, expressed deep empathy following Haliburton’s misfortune. However, Miller also sought to highlight the strength and unity demonstrated by the team throughout their playoff campaign. Despite finishing as the fourth seed, Indiana defeated top teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks without home-court advantage, largely thanks to Haliburton’s standout performances.
I’m very grateful of the @pacers TEAM for bringing so much pride, grit and togetherness back to Indiana basketball,
Miller wrote.
Masterful job on the sideline Coach Rick Carlisle, and let’s not forget about all the men and women who work in the Front Offices who sacrifice a lot of their time to make things happen.
—Reggie Miller, Pacers Legend
Uncertainty Ahead for Pacers Leadership and Future
In light of this devastating injury, attention now turns to coach Rick Carlisle and team president Kevin Pritchard as they plan the next steps for the franchise. The Pacers’ stunning finals appearance was one of the NBA’s most unexpected stories this season, and losing Haliburton’s contributions will pose a major challenge during the offseason and beyond. The organization faces the difficult task of maintaining momentum while preparing for the future without one of their key leaders on the court.