NBA Finals: Heartbreaking injury makes America ‘sick to the stomach’

A heartbreaking injury to a star player in through Game 7 of the NBA Finals has left fans shattered as the championship was decided.

The Indiana Pacers were dealt a heartbreaking blow when franchise star Tyrese Halburton went down with a serious injury early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday (AEST).

The injury proved pivotal, with the Pacers fading to lose 103-91 to the Thunder, a 68-win regular season juggernaut who fulfilled their potential to win the championship.

In the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016, Haliburton came out all guns blazing, swishing three long range three-pointers in the first quarter to get his team off to a flyer.

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But in heartbreaking scenes late in the opening quarter, Haliburton fell to the court when he moved to change direction while being defended by OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Haliburton, who had played Game 6 with a right calf sprain, collapsed in agony — screaming in pain and slamming the court in frustration — Haliburton was in tears as the reality of his injury set in.

ESPN commentator Mike Breen said: “It’s the right calf, he knew he was in trouble. You’re just sick to your stomach for the young man.”

Watch Tyrese Haliburton’s heartbreaking injury blow in the video above

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers goes down with injury. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Haliburton suffered a ruptured Achilles. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

The Indiana Pacers formed a huddle around Haliburton. Photo: ESPN/Kayo.

Tyrese Haliburton leaves the court with an injury. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Pacers players and staff surrounded Haliburton to give him privacy, and the point guard hobbled down the tunnel with a towel over his head, unable to put weight on his right leg.

The brutal scenes were eerily similar to when Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles in the second round of the playoffs, and it appears Haliburton has suffered the same injury.

The NRL Physio account posted on X: “About as clear an achilles rupture you will see on video for Tyrese Haliburton here - classic pushing off mechanism & clear pop through calf.

“Will require surgery & >9 month recovery, feel for him in such a big game.”

Reaction came thick and fast from around the basketball world to the emotional Haliburton scenes

The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said “Oh my god”, while LeBron James simply wrote: “F***!!!!!!!!”

Just heartbreaking for Haliburton. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

NBA podcaster Kevin O’Connor said: “I’m so sick for Haliburton. This is so horrible. He knew what it was right away.

“He has the heart of a champion going out there to fight for his teammates. And he was so amazing to start Game 7. Damn it man.”

The official FIBA basketball account posted: “Prayers up for Tyrese Haliburton.”

Haliburton’s dad John was distraught in the stands — he confirmed to ESPN Haliburton had suffered an Achilles injury.

The injury means Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard, Boston’s Tatum and now Indiana’s Pacers have all ruptured their Achilles in this year’s playoffs and are set to miss the next NBA season.

OKC surge to historic title

Despite the Haliburton injury, the Pacers rallied to take a 48-47 lead at halftime, but OKC surged to claim a 101-98 victory to win the series.

Indiana ran out of steam in the second half despite the best efforts of TJ McConell, who scored 10 straight points for the Pacers.

The OKC Thunder celebrate a historic championship win. Photo: Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP.

Alex Caruso and Lu Dort celebrate winning the NBA championship. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP.

SGA won Finals MVP to cap a stellar season. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Pascal Siakam started well for Indiana but he struggled to make an impact in the second half as Haliburton’s injury took a toll.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 29 points in Game 7 be named Finals MVP and put a stamp on a breakout season for the Canadian superstar.

The 26-year-old became the first player since Steph Curry in 2015 to win the regular season MVP and the NBA championship in the same season.

Alex Caruso, the defensive stopper OKC traded Australia’s Josh Giddey for, had 10 points including two three-pointers in the first quarter.

The Seattle Sonics won a championship back in 1979, but this is the first NBA title since the Sonics became the OKC Thunder in 2008.

Alex Ducas, who is on a two-way contract with the Thunder, is set to become just the eighth Australian to win an NBA championship.