Reggie Miller on Haliburton’s injury: 'It was a gut punch'

Reggie Miller is the greatest player in Indiana Pacers history. Despite hitting clutch shots throughout his career, he was never able to lead the Pacers to an NBA championship.

Miller led the Pacers to one NBA Finals, which was in the 1999-00 season. Unfortunately, Miller’s Pacers ran up against the Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, who defeated Indiana in six games.

Miller, now retired, became this year’s Pacers team’s biggest fan. He has been at the games, cheering the 2025 squad on.

Once Tyrese Haliburton went down early in Game 7 with an Achilles tear, Miller’s heart sank. He knew Indiana’s chance went out the door with Haliburton, and he later took to Instagram to describe it as a “gut punch.”

“I felt the gut punch to Pacer Nation, not only from the loss, but the loss of our fearless leader Tyrese Haliburton,” Miller posted on Instagram. “The man upstairs always has a master plan and ‘this too shall pass.’ I’m very grateful of the Pacers TEAM for bringing so much pride, grit and togetherness back to Indiana basketball.

Masterful job on the sideline Coach Rick Carlisle, and let’s not forget about all the men and women who work in the Front Offices who sacrifice a lot of their time to make things happen. #OGProudPacer”

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After the game ended, Miller met each Pacers player as they headed back to the locker room and gave them a hug.