Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a “right lower leg injury” and will not return to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, according to the Pacers.
Haliburton suffered a strained calf on the same leg in Game 5, casting doubt on his availability ahead of Game 6, where he appeared at times slowed by the injury.
WARNING: Video of the Game 7 injury follows. While not graphic, it shows a non-contact injury that resulted from Haliburton pushing off attempting to drive.
While there is no official diagnosis yet, the injury appears at first glance similar to the eventual Achilles tear suffered by Damian Lillard, in that there was no contact and occurred on an attempted push-off. Kevin Durant also suffered an Achilles tear following a calf strain on the same leg in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Later on ABC’s broadcast, Lisa Salters shared that Tyrese Haliburton’s father has confirmed that his son sustained an Achilles injury.