Tyrese Haliburton’s dream playoff run ended in heartbreak—just seven minutes into Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles. The unexpected setback concluded his night and dealt a crushing blow to the Indiana Pacers’ title hopes. The Pacers suffered a 103-91 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Pacers’ star walked away with something far greater than a ring.
The injury struck as Haliburton was heating up. He had already scored nine points before going down. He averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds during the Pacers’ improbable run through the East. However, he led wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks with poise and playmaking that turned heads across the league.
On First Take, Windhorst delivered a tribute, saying, “I know that you didn’t win this game, I know that you are facing a long recovery. But you did win something: You won over millions of new fans, you won over the respect of everybody in this league.” He highlighted the league-wide respect Haliburton earned. “They all respect what you did… Tyrese may not have gotten a championship, but he made a statement for the rest of his life, Windhorst added.
Brian Windhorst on Tyrese Haliburton:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 24, 2025
“I know that you didn’t win this game, I know that you are facing a long recovery. But you did win something: You won over millions of new fans, you won over the respect of everybody in this league.”
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/P3S4SGfp27
Despite the loss, Haliburton’s rise as a franchise cornerstone and respected competitor became one of the defining narratives of the 20225 NBA playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs Star Sends Prayers For Tyrese Haliburton’s Recovery
Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes supported Haliburton after the Pacers guard got hurt in Game 7 of the NBA finals. Haliburton’s torn Achilles in the first quarter forced him to leave the game early. Mahomes reacted with a kind message on social media, saying,” Prayers up man….. “
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Haliburton had been battling a sore right calf and chose to play through it. This severe damage complicated his health condition. The collapse ended his night and changed the game, but he is not done yet. As he assures fans through his social media, he will bounce back with a stronger version of himself.
Mahomes’ note quickly gained attention and underscores the respect Haliburton has earned across all sports.
