NBA Finals Game 7: Tyrese Haliburton Injured, Thunder Win Championship
NBA Finals Game 7 Recap – Heartbreak for Haliburton, Triumph for Thunder 🏆
The 2025 NBA Finals ended in both triumph and tragedy Sunday night, as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a historic 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 — but the game was overshadowed by a devastating injury to Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
💔 Haliburton's Achilles Injury Stuns the NBA
In a gut-wrenching moment early in the first quarter, Haliburton collapsed while driving to the basket, grabbing his right leg — the same leg he’d previously injured in Game 5. The scene was emotional: Haliburton pounding the hardwood in pain, teammates surrounding him, his father burying his head in his hands in the stands.
“What happened with Tyrese — all of our hearts dropped,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle postgame.
“He’ll be back in time. I believe he’ll make a full recovery.”
Haliburton’s father, John, later confirmed to ESPN that it was an Achilles tendon injury — a worst-case scenario feared by many. If torn, recovery could take 9 to 12 months, potentially sidelining Haliburton for most of next season.
🏆 Thunder Crowned Champions – SGA Named Finals MVP
While the Pacers reeled emotionally, the Thunder remained locked in. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, scoring consistently and controlling the pace.
“My heart dropped for him,” said SGA on Haliburton. “You never want to see that happen — especially in a moment like this.”
SGA’s humility didn’t overshadow his brilliance — he was named Finals MVP, capping off a dominant postseason and earning Oklahoma City its first NBA title since the franchise's Seattle days.
📊 Haliburton’s Heroic Playoff Run Ends Prematurely
Despite the early exit, Haliburton's playoff numbers speak volumes:
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17.7 PPG
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9.0 APG
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5.6 RPG
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46.1 FG%
He hit clutch shots in each series — including buzzer-beaters and late-game daggers — to keep the Pacers' dream alive. Many are already calling it one of the greatest individual playoff performances in Pacers history, even with the heartbreaking ending.
⚠️ Larger Concern: NBA’s Injury Epidemic?
Haliburton's injury wasn't isolated. Other stars like Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard also suffered Achilles injuries during this postseason. The league is now facing serious questions about player health and scheduling intensity.
“It’s not fair,” said SGA. “But competition isn’t fair sometimes.”
🔮 What’s Next for the Pacers & Haliburton?
Indiana now enters the offseason with heavy hearts and big questions. Can they remain contenders without Haliburton next year? Will this injury alter his long-term trajectory?
But if there’s one thing fans know about Tyrese Haliburton — it’s that he doesn’t back down.
“He authored one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA,” Carlisle reminded. “It’s just something no one’s ever seen.”
📝 Final Thoughts
Game 7 gave fans drama, emotion, and excellence — but also a reminder of the fragility of greatness. While OKC celebrates, the basketball world mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars, even if only temporarily.
🙏 Wishing Tyrese Haliburton a full and strong recovery.
#NBAFinals #TyreseHaliburton #AchillesInjury #SGA #ThunderChampions #PacersPride #Game7Drama #NBANews #BasketballIsLife
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