The Indiana Pacers’ impressive season ended on a sad note after their star player Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles injury in Game 7 of their NBA playoff finals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Haliburton was trying to initiate an attack in the first quarter when he suffered the injury. The incident occurred with 4 minutes, 55 seconds left to play, and the visibly distraught 25-year-old had to be assisted as he limped off to the locker room.
Per ESPN, Haliburton initially suffered a calf strain in Game 5, but he did not sit out Game 6. The star player and his Pacers teammates had an impressive run in the just-ended season, with Haliburton leading them to secure a spot in the finals.
And though Haliburton was nursing the calf strain at the time he tore his right Achilles tendon, he said he did not regret sitting out the game. He took to social media on Monday night to share a lengthy statement alongside a photo of him in a hospital bed.
“Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense,” the 25-year-old wrote.
“Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to come back stronger’. What a cliche lol, this sh*t sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. But what’s hurting most I think is my mind. Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through. It feels good to let this sh*t out without y’all seeing the kid ugly cry.”
Haliburton also said that at his age, he had already “learned that God never gives us more than we can handle.” “I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player,” he wrote.
The 25-year-old stated that despite his condition, he had no regrets. “And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special,” he wrote.
He added: “Indy, I’m sorry. If any fan base doesn’t deserve this, it’s y’all. But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don’t doubt for a second that y’all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours.”
Haliburton also shared a quote from deceased NBA legend Kobe Bryant after he similarly suffered an Achilles injury. “I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation. ‘There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then [sic] a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.’ And that’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right.”
He then expressed his gratitude for the support that has since come his way. “My journey to get to where I am today wasn’t by happenstance, I’ve pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I’m grateful. I’m grateful for every single experience that’s led me here,” he wrote.
“I’m grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don’t ‘have to’ go through this, I get to go through this. I’m grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I’ll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton.”
He then concluded with a verse from the Bible: “Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.’”
