Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a brutal lower right leg injury early in Sunday’s Game 7 NBA Finals road matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Afterward, Thunder superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander displayed immense sportsmanship, winning over NBA fans.
With the game tied 16-16 with 5:02 remaining in the first quarter, Haliburton attempted to blow by Gilgeous-Alexander on the perimeter. However, his right leg, in which he had been nursing a calf injury, gave out, causing him to collapse to the floor in apparent excruciating pain.
The two-time All-Star was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the NBA championship-deciding contest, with his father, John, confirming he sustained an Achilles injury. Haliburton finished with nine points and three 3s on 3-for-5 shooting (60.0%) in seven minutes. Before the devastating news, Gilgeous-Alexander made sure to check in on his rival’s well-being.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Garners Fans’ Respect After His Tyrese Haliburton Gesture
After Haliburton went down, Pacers players and staffers rushed to his side. However, Gilgeous-Alexander was also among the first to comfort the fifth-year player. The 2025 MVP could be seen gently patting Haliburton on the back as he winced in pain.
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Gilgeous-Alexander’s respectful gesture earned him the admiration of fans on X, with many commending him for hurrying to his opponent’s side with a title still on the line.
“It’s bigger than basketball. Love it,” one fan said.
It’s bigger than basketball. Love it.
— Melissa (@mdrizzy22) June 23, 2025
“He is a great person. That’s not personal. Shai is a humble one,” another wrote.
He is a great person. That’s not personal. Shai is a humble one ☝🏿
— LEOVÍNG | MARTÍNEZ. 🧠🔨🇩🇴 (@LEOVING) June 23, 2025
“Classy,” one user commented.
Classy
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) June 23, 2025
“This made me rank him!!! Thats sportsmanship,” another remarked.
This made me rank him!!! Thats sportsmanship
— Boogie (@itsianmaina) June 23, 2025
“Respect,” one added.
Respect
— Joanna 🇺🇸🇵🇭 (@00000Joanna) June 23, 2025
“Classy, g*ddang just hate to see Achilles injuries like this because not only are you like damn Halliburton is gunna be out the rest of the game…but then it dawns on you that he’ll also likely miss a damn good chunk of the whole*ss next season,” another chimed in, noting the likelihood of Haliburton missing significant time during the 2025-26 campaign.
Classy, goddang just hate to see Achilles injuries like this because not only are you like damn Halliburton is gunna be out the rest of the game…but then it dawns on you that he’ll also likely miss a damn good chunk of the wholeass next season
— Ryan Boger (@rboger12) June 23, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander has caught flak from fans during the Thunder’s playoff run, largely due to his foul-drawing techniques. Even so, it appears fans can set aside personal judgments after such a crushing blow to a thrilling finals series.
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Haliburton’s playmaking and clutch shooting have been instrumental to Indiana’s success, allowing the team to stay in games and regularly make improbable comebacks. Now the Pacers have potentially lost their franchise player for the foreseeable future, likely casting doubts on their status as contenders next year.
