With the 2024-25 season now in the books and the Oklahoma City Thunder crowned champions, all 30 teams are now laser-focused on enhancing their roster. Only one of those teams will go into the summer knowing that their franchise star won\u2019t be playing at all next season. Unfortunately, it\u2019s the team that fell to the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals: the Indiana Pacers.<\/p>\n
On Monday, ESPN senior insider Shane Charania confirmed everyone\u2019s suspicions, reporting that Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton<\/a> tore his right Achilles tendon<\/a> in Game 7. Though most basketball fans aren\u2019t medical professionals, the video of the injury all but speaks for itself. On Sunday, his father \u2014who many may know from his exchange<\/a> with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> \u2014had alluded to this outcome at halftime<\/a>.<\/p>\n What had not been known was Haliburton\u2019s recovery timeline. However, The Athletic\u2019s Joe Vardon has cleared that up, albeit in a rather heart-wrenching manner. Pouring salt on the wound, he reveals that Haliburton\u2019s Achilles tear \u201cwill require surgery and is expected to knock him out for all of next season<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n With TJ McConnell<\/a> and Andrew Nembhard<\/a> on the roster, the Pacers aren\u2019t going to be stuck in first gear. Indeed, the duo played a pivotal role in keeping the NBA Finals close in Game 7. At one point, McConnell scored 12 straight points.<\/p>\nNext Man Up<\/h3>\n