Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared an emotional update about the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton, 25, tore his right Achilles tendon during the first quarter of the winner-takes-all game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 22. The Thunder won the game 103-91, taking home the franchise’s first-ever NBA title.
“Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock,” Haliburton wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 23. “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.”
Haliburton shared a picture from his hospital bed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he had successful surgery earlier in the day. He is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
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“Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to ‘come back stronger,’” Haliburton continued. “What a cliche lol, this s*** sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. 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. It feels good to let this s*** out without y’all seeing the kid ugly cry.”
He continued, “At 25, I’ve already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player. And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special.”
Haliburton, who was traded to the Pacers in February 2022 after spending the first season-and-a-half of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, apologized to his fans for the unfortunate turn of events.
“Indy, I’m sorry. If any fan base doesn’t deserve this, it’s y’all,” he wrote. “But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don’t doubt for a second that y’all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours.”
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Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, reflected on the Pacers’ journey to Game 7 of the NBA Finals with a melancholic post of her own on Monday.
“What a year!!! What a bittersweet ending to it all,” Jones wrote alongside a carousel from her favorite moments from the season. “This team is SO special, beyond words. You have made a historic run for the Pacers that generations will be talking about!!! This season has made such a special imprint on my heart. One of the best things we have ever been a part of!!! Just know how much it meant to all of us.”
Jones ended the post with a note to Haliburton and his recovery.
“I will always be your biggest cheerleader,” she wrote. “I will forever be so proud of you!! Our team’s got you. We will be back, we’re not finished yet! Gods plan, Gods timing 
My superstar, I love you.”
