Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton will be sidelined for the entirety of next season, according to Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard on Monday.
Pritchard’s claim comes after Haliburton tore his Achilles during Game 7 of the NBAFinals against the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on June 22. The injury occurred with 5:02 remaining in the first quarter, when Haliburton went to shoot a 3-pointer but extended his leg and landed awkwardly on the ground.
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He was visibly in pain as multiple Pacers trainers attended to him. Haliburton had scored nine points and made three from long range in the first quarter against the Thunder, but the injury cut his performance short.
“I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever,” Pritchard told reporters. “He will not play next year though. We would not jeopardize that now.”
Without Haliburton, Indiana lost Game 7 of the NBA Finals 103-91, as Oklahoma City celebrated winning its first championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008. Following the game, Haliburton underwent surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon and sent a message to Pacers fans on X.
Don’t know how to explain it other than shock,” Haliburton wrote. “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.”
He continued, “But what’s hurting most, I think, is my mind. Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through.”
