Tyrese Haliburton's Dad’s Immediate Reaction to Son’s NBA Finals Injury Draws Major Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 9:53 PM ET

In what was a high-tempo, high-energy start to Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, things took a heartbreaking turn just eight minutes in.

Tyrese Haliburton—who opened the game shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc—went down with an apparent lower leg injury, the same calf that had made him questionable heading into Game 6.

Fans and media quickly speculated that it could be an Achilles injury, based on how the play unfolded. The moment bore an eerie resemblance to the injuries suffered by both Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum earlier this postseason—quick leg extensions that ultimately resulted in torn Achilles tendons.

Haliburton was clearly in pain and visibly emotional as he was helped off the court and into the locker room. The scene drew instant attention inside the arena, particularly from his father, John Haliburton, who was visibly shaken by what he had just witnessed on the biggest stage in sports.

Check it out:

Tyrese Haliburton was helped off the court after going down with an apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/Xsr9GehvEM
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025

Just moments after Tyrese Haliburton was taken back to the locker room, Pacers officials announced he had been ruled out for the remainder of Game 7 with a right lower leg injury.

Haliburton has been one of the brightest stars of the postseason, serving as the catalyst behind Indiana’s improbable run to the NBA Finals—a run few outside of Indiana could have predicted.

His father, John Haliburton, has been a constant presence throughout the playoffs, attending every game he was permitted to.

Earlier in the postseason, he faced a brief suspension following an altercation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. Since then, he’s returned to the crowd, watching proudly as his son delivered one of the most memorable playoff performances in recent Pacers history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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