Tyrese Haliburton was left in tears and screaming in agony after suffering an Achilles injury early on in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Indiana Pacers star suffered a calf injury in Game 5 but was only needed to play 26 minutes in Game 6 as his team dominated the Thunder to level up the series at 3-3.
But disaster struck in the first quarter of Game 7 when he tried to dribble past Thunder’s NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. There appeared to be a pop in his lower right leg, sparking fears he suffered a major injury.
The 25-year-old collapsed instantly and was visibly in pain, slamming his hand on the floor as trainers rushed to help him.
Haliburton could put no weight on the leg as was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation. He was ruled out just moments later.
Virtually the entire Indiana playing, coaching and medical staff surrounded him on the court once he got hurt.
Tyrese Haliburton was left screaming in agony after reinjuring his right calf early on in Game 7
The 25-year-old collapsed instantly and was visibly in pain, slamming his hand on the floor
Haliburton had a towel over his head to try and hide his emotions after being led off the court
Haliburton’s dad, John, looked distraught as he watched his son suffering down below
‘It’s a heartbreak, man,’ Pacers center Myles Turner told ABC during an in-game interview after the opening period. ‘It’s unfortunate … but we’ve got his back.’
Haliburton, who had been dealing with leg issues in the series, had been getting all sorts of treatment to get the calf in good enough shape for him to play in the last two games of the NBA Finals.
He played well in Game 6, and Game 7 started promisingly – with Haliburton making three deep 3-pointers.
ABC showed footage of Haliburton being carried down the tunnel with a towel over his head as he tried to hide his emotions.
The cameras then cut to the stands where Haliburton’s dad, John, looked distraught as he watched his son suffering down below.
Eerily, the incident happened in almost the exact same spot as Haliburton first suffered a calf injury in Game 5.
Speaking about Haliburton on ABC’s coverage, commentator Mike Breen said: ‘He talked so much over the past couple of weeks, his dream to play in an NBA Finals.
‘Here, he helped bring his team to a Game 7. Just excruciating to watch… You could tell that the Thunder fans felt awful.’