Game 7 of the NBA Finals was supposed to be Tyrese Haliburton’s crowning moment. Instead, it became his nightmare. The Pacers’ star point guard pushed off his left leg and crumpled to the court, clutching what everyone feared was a torn Achilles.
The diagnosis confirmed the worst: Haliburton’s season was over, and his road back would be long and uncertain. But in the aftermath of this devastating blow, an unexpected gesture of sportsmanship emerged from an unlikely source.
How Did the Boston Celtics Respond to Tyrese Haliburton’s Injury?
During a media scrum, Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens revealed that his organization reached out to the Pacers following Haliburton’s season-ending injury. Stevens and assistant GM Mike Zarren offered support and assistance after the Indiana star suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Celtics know this pain intimately. Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles during their second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks, putting Boston in the same devastating position as Indiana. Having walked this difficult path themselves, the Celtics shared advice on rehabilitation and the challenging road ahead for both the Pacers organization and Haliburton personally.
Brad Stevens mentioned that he and Mike Zarren reached out to the Pacers after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals:
“Mike and I were both in conversation with their GMs, like, ‘Anything we could do to help, let us know, because we’ve been through it.'”
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) July 8, 2025
On Monday, July 7, Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard officially ruled Haliburton out for the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season. This timeline mirrors what the Celtics faced with Tatum’s recovery, making their outreach even more meaningful.
Stevens explained the gesture simply: “Mike and I were conversing with their GMs. Is there anything we could do to help? Let us know because we’ve been through it.” The sentiment reflects genuine empathy from an organization that understands exactly what the Pacers are experiencing.
What Makes This Gesture So Significant?
This move stands out as genuinely classy in a league where competitive rivalries often overshadow human compassion. Most teams would keep their insights to themselves, especially in the cutthroat environment of the NBA. The Pacers and Celtics have battled each other repeatedly in postseason matchups, with Boston sweeping Indiana in their most recent playoff encounter.
Despite this competitive history, Stevens and Zarren put their pride and competitive instincts aside to reach out during Indiana’s darkest hour. The gesture displays remarkable empathy between organizations that are typically focused solely on gaining every possible advantage over their rivals.
Additionally, both franchises watched their star players excel before disaster struck. Tatum was dominating Game 4 against the Knicks, posting 42 points, eight rebounds, and seven 3s before his Achilles gave out.
Meanwhile, Haliburton was off to a scorching start in Game 7, draining three 3s and scoring nine points in just seven minutes before his injury cut short what could have been a legendary performance.
The broader context makes this outreach even more poignant. Achilles tears have become an alarming trend in recent years, with three elite NBA players – Damian Lillard, Tatum, and Haliburton – all suffering this devastating injury during the 2025 playoffs alone. The increasing frequency of these injuries has sparked league-wide concern about player health and recovery protocols.
Stevens’ willingness to share the Celtics’ experience navigating Tatum’s injury represents more than just good sportsmanship. It acknowledges that some challenges transcend team rivalries and competitive boundaries. When organizations face similar crises, the shared knowledge and support can prove invaluable for both the injured player’s recovery and the team’s ability to move forward.
