On July 7, 2025, the Indiana Pacers confirmed that star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to a torn right Achilles tendon sustained in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton, 25, suffered an Achilles rupture during a non-contact play in the Pacers’ 103-91 Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June 2025. Pacers President Kevin Pritchard confirmed that the surgery was successful but ruled out Haliburton’s return for the upcoming season, stating, “He’ll come back stronger.”
Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. 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? Makes no sense.
Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the… pic.twitter.com/UyY0iFEp6Z
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 24, 2025Haliburton’s 2024-25 season stats of 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game fueled the Pacers’ Finals run, with playoff averages of 14 points and 5.9 assists per NBA.com. His absence is a significant blow to the 52-win Pacers and challenges their playoff aspirations for the 2025-26 season. Pritchard praised Haliburton’s remarkable playoff run, but no timeline for his return was established, raising concerns about his career trajectory.
Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season, Pacers president Kevin Pritchard announced
Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/L0wWgwCSFV
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 7, 2025The 2025 playoffs were marked by significant Achilles injuries that sidelined stars such as Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum, according to Sports Illustrated. With 10% of playoff injuries attributed to Achilles ruptures, teams are actively exploring prevention strategies, including load management. The Pacers plan to lean on Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell during this time.
Haliburton’s injury, which impacts 50 million NBA fans, disrupts the Pacers’ trajectory in a $20 billion league, according to Nielsen. Amidst global events, this injury highlights the NBA’s commitment to player safety and impacts team strategies and fan expectations for the 2025-26 season.
