The Indiana Pacers were out to be the first road team to grab the NBA championship title since 2016. But, the biggest night in Indiana Pacers history took a gut-wrenching turn just minutes into game 7 of the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton, the engine behind Indiana’s miracle playoff run, collapsed on the court in pain and had to leave the game.
It was supposed to be his crowning moment. Instead, cameras caught his father, John Haliburton, frozen in heartbreak as his son limped off the floor. In one painful moment, the dreams of a franchise and the devotion of a father collided in front of a stunned NBA world.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Game 7 Injury Leaves Father John in Tears
Tyrese’s right calf had been a storyline for weeks. He pushed through the pain in Game 6. He suited up for Game 7. But just minutes into the first quarter of the NBA Finals, the moment every fan feared came true.
After slipping on the court with just under seven minutes left in the opening quarter, Haliburton immediately reached for his lower leg. His teammates surrounded him in silence before he slowly rose and limped off the court, helped by team staff.
Before leaving, he had already knocked down three three-pointers, tallying nine points on 3-for-4 shooting from deep. But no one was thinking about his stat line. The spotlight quickly shifted to a familiar face in the crowd – his father, John.
Cameras captured what words could not. John Haliburton, always known for his passionate support, stood motionless. Then, slowly, heartbreak took over. He lowered his head, trying to hide the tears as his son disappeared into the tunnel. The emotion was raw, visible, and painfully real.
Tyerese Haliburton’s dad reaction to his son injury…heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/tZP8ggTK4g
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) June 23, 2025
John has been a consistent figure courtside throughout Tyrese’s and Pacers’ playoff journey. Earlier this postseason, John was briefly barred from attending games after a heated exchange with Indiana Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the ban was lifted, and he returned just in time to witness his son’s defining moments in the NBA Finals.
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Calf strains are notoriously dangerous. They linger, and one misstep can worsen the damage dramatically. That risk became reality Sunday night in Game 7 for Tyrese.
There is no word yet on the severity of the re-injury, but the timing couldn’t be worse. It’s the final game of the NBA Finals. Everything was on the line, and Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers’ star, was gone before it really began.
