April 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Metta World Peace (15) subs for shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) as leaves the game in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center. Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon. He under went surgery April 13 and is expected to miss six to nine months. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Tyrese Haliburton Quotes Lakers' Kobe Bryant in Message Following Achilles Surgery

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 2:42 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are familiar with torn Achilles injuries. Kobe Bryant suffered that injury at the end of the regular season in 2013, and it was the beginning of the end of his career.

He did come back the next season and played fairly well after attacking his rehab, but he was still at the end of his career. Tyrese Haliburton is not at the same stage of his career.

Haliburton suffered that same injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, which was incredibly disappointing. He underwent surgery and shared with fans a quote from Bryant.

Following his surgery, Haliburton released a message to Pacers fans. He made sure to quote Bryant in the long social media post.

Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.

Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the… pic.twitter.com/UyY0iFEp6Z
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 24, 2025

"I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation. “There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever."

The Pacers' superstar is going to miss all of next year because he laid his body on the line. After suffering a calf strain, he knew that this was a possibility.

Just like Bryant, he gave it his all when his team needed it the most. It's crushing for the Pacers and their fans. It's a feeling that Lakers fans are all too familiar with.

Lakers fans got to see Bryant return to the floor by January of the following season, although he would go on to suffer a knee injury after he played just six games that cost him the rest of the season.

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The Pacers would be ecstatic if they could somehow get Haliburton back just nine months after the injury. That would put his return in April, meaning he'd be back for the playoffs.

Haliburton is still just 25, so he is young enough to return and still be a great player. The Lakers didn't have the same kind of luxury with Bryant when he got hurt, as he was already in his mid-30s.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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