Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season after tearing his right Achilles tendon during the Finals loss to Oklahoma City, team president Kevin Pritchard confirmed Monday.
Haliburton, who had been battling a calf strain, went down in the first quarter of the decisive Game 7, cutting short a brilliant postseason run that saw him average 18.6 points and 9.2 assists.
“I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever,” Pritchard said. “He will not play next year though. Don’t get any hopes up that he will play.”
Pritchard admitted he’d rather have forfeited the game than see his star guard suffer such a devastating injury.
“Would I have him do it over and over? I would not. If I knew he was going to get hurt, I would sacrifice that game because I care for the kid so much.”
Haliburton famously hit a buzzer-beater to win Game 1 of the Finals, helping the Pacers reach their first title series since 2000.
Pritchard praised Haliburton’s competitive fire, saying, “He plays best when he’s really hungry, and I’m guessing next year he’s going to be champing at the bit to prove to everybody that he’s back.”
Despite losing both Haliburton and free agent center Myles Turner, who signed with Milwaukee, Pritchard insists Indiana remains committed to contending.
“We were 24 minutes and an injury away,” he said. “We’ll have some guys that hopefully will have some opportunities, and when he gets back, it’ll be the cherry on top.”
