Tyrese Haliburton opened up about the circumstances that led to his torn Achilles during the NBA Finals in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
The Indiana Pacers guard offered a detailed timeline of the injury, describing how it evolved from initial calf soreness to a season-ending setback.
Haliburton said the first sign of trouble came during Game 5 of the Finals. “I shoot, fake, chat, and I just kind of fall. Right there I felt a pull in the back of my calf,” he recalled, via HoopsHype.
An MRI revealed a calf strain, and he met with team doctors and executives to assess his status. “If it was the regular season, I would have to sit a couple weeks,” Haliburton said, but added, “I’m going to play—it’s the NBA Finals, what are we talking about?”
He passed a stress test ahead of Game 6 and played limited minutes in a blowout win over the Thunder. “After the game, my calf wasn’t even bothering me… I felt great,” he said.
That confidence carried into Game 7. Haliburton said he “felt great going into the game,” and attributed his strong start—3-of-4 from three—to how his body responded.
But with 4:55 left in the first quarter, everything changed. “Obviously, you know what happened,” he said, referencing the moment he tore his right Achilles tendon.
Beyond the physical toll, Haliburton discussed the emotional weight of the situation. “When I’m alone… I sit there and I think about everything that’s happened. And it’s kind of like, ‘God, you know, that sucks.’ It genuinely sucks.”
He said his focus now is fully on recovery. “I can’t really control the past. I can’t control what’s going to happen in the future. All I can do is just attack this rehab the best I can.”
The Pacers confirmed on July 7 that Haliburton will miss the entire 2025–26 season. He underwent successful surgery on June 23.
Despite the setback, Haliburton said he has no regrets. “I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special.”
