NBA Finals: Heartbreaking Tyrese Haliburton injury makes America ‘sick to stomach'
The Indiana Pacers were dealt a heartbreaking blow when franchise star Tyrese Halburton went down with a serious injury early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday (AEST).
In the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, Haliburton came out all guns blazing, swishing three long range three-pointers in the first quarter to get his team off to a flyer.
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But in heartbreaking scenes late in the opening quarter, Haliburton fell to the court when he moved to change direction while being defended by OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Haliburton, who had played Game 6 with a right calf sprain, collapsed in agony — screaming in pain and slamming the court in frustration — Haliburton was in tears as the reality of his injury set in.
ESPN commentator Mike Breen said: 'It's the right calf, he knew he was in trouble. You're just sick to your stomach for the young man.'
Watch Tyrese Haliburton's heartbreaking injury blow in the video above
Pacers players and staff surrounded Haliburton to give him privacy, and the point guard hobbled down the tunnel with a towel over his head, unable to put weight on his right leg.
The brutal scenes were eerily similar to when Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles in the second round of the playoffs, and it appears Haliburton has suffered the same injury.
The NRL Physio account posted on X: 'About as clear an achilles rupture you will see on video for Tyrese Haliburton here - classic pushing off mechanism & clear pop through calf.
'Will require surgery & >9 month recovery, feel for him in such a big game.'
Reaction came thick and fast from around the basketball world to the emotional Haliburton scenes
The Ringer's Zach Lowe said 'Oh my god', while LeBron James simply wrote: 'F***!!!!!!!!'
NBA podcaster Kevin O'Connor said: 'I'm so sick for Haliburton. This is so horrible. He knew what it was right away.
'He has the heart of a champion going out there to fight for his teammates. And he was so amazing to start Game 7. Damn it man.'
The official FIBA basketball account posted: 'Prayers up for Tyrese Haliburton.'
Haliburton's dad John was distraught in the stands — he confirmed to ESPN Haliburton had suffered an Achilles injury.
The injury means Milwaukee's Damian Lillard, Boston's Tatum and now Indiana's Pacers have all ruptured their Achilles in this year's playoffs and are set to miss the next NBA season.
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