Scanning the road locker room, one player was notably absent — Tyrese Haliburton. In their first trip back to OKC since the dreadful Game 7 loss in the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana enjoyed a therapeutic upset to boost up the morale of its group.
The Oklahoma City Thunder finally succumbed to half of their roster being out in a 117-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combined for 72 points, but that wasn’t enough as the NBA is played five-on-five instead of two-on-two.
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Amid a lost season, the Pacers aren’t playing for much. It was a gap year as soon as Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7. They’re fighting for lottery odds at this point. That said, you knew they had this matchup circled on their calendar. Obviously not a one-for-one, but it provided a sentimental turning of the page for a group hoping to contend next season.
After Andrew Nembhard dropped 30 points and 11 assists, he said that upset was for Haliburton — who didn’t make the trip to OKC. Out for the whole season with his torn Achilles, he decided not to make the road trip. Which stood out as he’s traveled with his squad all year.
Amazon Prime’s Taylor Rooks revealed why. She said that Haliburton skipped out on the emotional scars attached to Paycom Center. He didn’t want to be within the vicinity of the moment he constantly thinks about and will likely haunt him for the rest of his life.
“He said the next time he goes back to be when he can play,” Rooks said. “And get lost in competing and playing the game he loves. Rather than staring at that spot of the floor.”
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A pretty powerful statement from Haliburton. Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sent his condolences to him in the aftermath of their NBA championship celebration. The Thunder and Pacers provided a heavyweight fight on the grandest stage and had one of the most memorable NBA Finals in recent history.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Why Tyrese Haliburton didn’t travel to OKC in Pacers’ upset win