(Image Source – Getty Images) Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury didn’t just end Game 7—it tore through the heart of a rising Pacers dynasty. Kevin Pritchard confirmed what fans feared: Haliburton won’t play in 2025–26. His early-game spark faded into silence, and Indiana’s dreams unraveled quickly. Now, without their All-Star leader or Myles Turner, the Pacers stare down a season of rebuilding and recovery.
Kevin Pritchard delivers the toughest news yet on Tyrese Haliburton
The Pacers faced a tough end to their season with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it was a game that altered careers. Haliburton scored nine points in the first seven minutes of Game 7, but then the Achilles rupture happened, leading to a downfall that Indiana never bounced back from, being outscored 56–43 in the second half. Kevin Pritchard was clear — “He will not play next year… We would not jeopardize that now. Don’t get any hopes up that he will play”.As the emotional and strategic heart of the franchise, Haliburton is set for a long recovery that will last more than 12 months. His surgery was performed on June 23 at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and Pritchard is optimistic about the outcome — “I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever”. But as the loyal fans in Indiana are aware, Achilles injuries can be brutal—Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard are still out due to similar tears from earlier in these playoffs.Behind those numbers is a more profound tale. Haliburton led one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the NBA, guiding the Pacers from a 47–35 regular-season record to their first Finals appearance since 2000. In the playoffs, he averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 assists, showcasing clutch performances—including a buzzer-beater in Game 1 of the Finals—before an injury halted his impressive run.Without Haliburton and following Myles Turner’s exit in free agency, Indiana is entering a critical offseason. The standard recovery for an Achilles injury is 8 to 12 months, and the Pacers are not in a hurry. Still, the larger timeline indicates a potential return only late in the 2026–27 season. Haliburton’s absence opens up a gap that the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Sixers might capitalize on in 2025–26.Also Read: Gilbert Arenas opens up about why Michael Jordan was never his favorite player growing upIndiana’s rise, once driven by hope, now hits a snag at the crossroads of injury. Tyrese Haliburton’s 2025–26 season has officially come to a close, taking with it the Pacers’ momentum, unity, and dreams of a championship. However, as Pritchard points out, this isn’t the end—it’s just a break. Haliburton’s fierce competitive nature remains intact despite the setback, making him the cornerstone of Indiana’s comeback.