"Nooo it wasn't supposed to end like this" - NBA fans devastated as Tyrese Haliburton's apparent Achilles injury cloud Pacers' title hopes

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton suffered an apparent right Achilles injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the OKC Thunder. NBA fans were devastated after Haliburton went down in the first quarter of the final game of the season.

Haliburton had a hot start to the contest, scoring nine points and making three 3-point shots. He was about to drive to the basket when his right leg gave out, and he lost control of the ball. He knew what had happened and immediately began tapping the floor.

The Pacers superstar was visibly emotional as the fans inside the Paycom Center kept quiet while the team's medical personnel tended to him. His teammates surrounded him before he got carried back to the locker room in tears. There's no official diagnosis yet, with Indiana calling it a lower right leg injury.

NBA fans reacted to the injury on social media, with some unable to believe that it happened. Game 7 was supposed to be an exciting and competitive contest, but Tyrese Haliburton's injury has cast a doubt on the Indiana Pacers' chances of winning.

Here are some of the reactions.

DubiousNFTLover

@DubiousNFTLover

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Nooo it wasn't supposed to end like this

iO's World 🌎 #D4

@DamHesFresh

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It’s over for Indiana now 💯

CloneOnDaThrone

@CloneOnDaThrone

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I’m throwing up ugly crying rn

VFAM

@vfam_meta

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This is the kind of injury that makes you sick to your stomach 💔

Aryeh

@AryehRE

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He said he felt it pop, but hopefully he’s wrong. That stinks to see, hope he gets better fast. NBA is significantly better when Hali is out there

Eh, what’s up Doc

@rabbitSZN2

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Well…that’s not what anyone wanted to happen tonight.

Prayers up for Tyrese Haliburton 🙏🏻

Tyrese Haliburton was having a fantastic start to the game when it happened. The Indiana Pacers confirmed the lower right leg injury, but it hasn't been called an Achilles tear yet. He has been ruled out for the rest of the game and is likely scheduled to undergo testing to diagnose an official injury.

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Pacers lose Game 7 without Tyrese Haliburton

Pacers lose Game 7 without Tyrese Haliburton. (Photo: IMAGN)

Despite the efforts from Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell, the Indiana Pacers came up short in Game 7 against the OKC Thunder. The Pacers were still in the game in the second quarter, taking a one-point lead at halftime. The Thunder made a run midway through the third period, and it was all they needed.

Indiana couldn't keep the ball away from the Thunder's stingy defense, clearly missing Tyrese Haliburton's calmness and playmaking. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder were just too much in the end, finishing off one of the best seasons in NBA history with a 103-91 win.

After the game, Haliburton was spotted waiting for his teammates in the tunnel. He was standing on one leg with the help of crutches as emotions poured in for the Pacers.

Indiana had one hell of a run, dispatching the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, upsetting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and beating their rivals New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Final. They were one win away from the franchise's first NBA championship.